[Perioperative treatment in elective colorectal resection in Germany]

The perioperative treatment of patients with elective colorectal resections in 1086 german hospitals was analysed. In 40% of all hospitals preoperative parenteral nutrition was administered. Following resection iv-fluids were administered in every hospital (6.2% hypo-, 72.4% normo-, 18.7% hypercaloric). Systemic chemoprophylaxis with iv-antibiotics was given in 95.4% of all hospitals. Preoperative bowel preparation included orthograde lavage in 86.1% of the hospitals and oral non-resorbable antibiotics were given in 22.5%. 40.1% of all surgeons performed intraoperative testing of colorectal anastomoses and abdominal drains were used on a regular basis in more than 83% of the hospitals. The principles in perioperative treatment of patients with elective colorectal resections are almost identical all over Germany. Minor differences in perioperative treatment occurred in association with localisation, class of hospital, size of surgical department and annual amount of resections. Also differences between clinical practice and results of recent scientific studies can be observed.