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Mechanical bowel preparation does not affect the intramucosal bacterial colony count.
Bärbel Jung1, Peter Matthiessen, Kenneth Smedh
1Department of Surgery and Perioperative Sciences, University of Umeå, Umeå, Sweden. barbel.jung@hsf.gotland.se
International Journal of Colorectal Disease
|December 17, 2009
Summary
Mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) does not alter intramucosal bacteria in the colon. This study found no significant difference in bacterial counts between patients who underwent MBP and those who did not.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
- Colorectal Surgery
Background:
- Intramucosal bacteria in the colon are a potential factor in surgical site infections.
- Mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) is commonly used before colorectal surgery to reduce bacterial load.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) on intramucosal bacterial colony counts in the colon.
Main Methods:
- Colon mucosa biopsies were collected from 37 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery.
- Bacterial colony counts for E. coli, Bacteroides, and total bacteria were determined.
- Patients were stratified into groups with and without MBP.
Main Results:
- Mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) did not significantly influence the median colony counts of E. coli, Bacteroides, or total bacteria.
- No difference in intramucosal bacterial load was observed between the MBP and non-MBP groups.
Conclusions:
- Mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) does not appear to affect intramucosal bacterial counts in the colon.
- Further research is recommended to validate these findings and explore other potential factors influencing intramucosal bacteria.
