[Preoperative preparation in colorectal surgery: antibiotics (author's transl)]

Out of a total of 2727 operations of the large bowel because of tumors and inflammatory disease, performed over a 14-year period, 897 were one-stage resections of the colon and rectum without relaxing colostomy. Standard preoperative preparation of the bowel consists of a balanced diet, laxatives, and enema supplemented by 9 g Neomycin and 1.8 g Achromycin, within a 2-day period. Disturbances in wound healing occurred in 12.5%, seroma included. Anastomotic insufficiency occurred in 4%, and fatal fecal peritonitis due to tumors in 1.3% and due to diverticulitis in 1.2%. Total mortality was about 5.7%. Postoperative hospitalization after resections because of tumors was 15 days and because of diverticulitis, 19 days.