Preoperative antimicrobial prescribing practice for elective colorectal surgery in Wessex, 1981

32 Wessex surgeons took part in a survey of preoperative antimicrobial prescribing practice for elective colorectal surgery. Only 1 surgeon did not prescribe antimicrobials. 15 (48%) of those surgeons giving antimicrobials used systemic antibiotics only, whilst 9 (29%) gave agents both systemically and orally. With 1 exception, all surgeons used an agent effective against anaerobes, whereas 27 (87%) used an agent or agents to cover both groups. All the surgeons started the antimicrobials before surgery, and half continued them for less than 48 h. Conventional bowel preparation was found to be the most popular method.