Antibiotic prophylaxis and preoperative colorectal cleansing: are they useful?

The utility of antibiotic prophylaxis for colorectal surgery has been assessed and largely confirmed worldwide. There is homogeneous consensus that the antibiotic chosen for prophylaxis must cover both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, that the toxicity should be minimal and it should be cost effective. Recent studies have questioned the role of preoperative bowel cleansing, which is considered by many surgeons as a widely established practice prior to elective colorectal procedures. New clinical trials are needed to resolve these key questions such as the efficacy of bowel preparation and how to obtain effective timing of antimicrobial prophylaxis.