Wound infections after colectomy

The records of 650 patients were analyzed to determine factors predisposing the patients to wound infections. Statistically significant increases in infections were found in association with Crohn's disease, stomas present preoperatively, serum albumin levels of less than 2.9 g/dl, operative blood losses greater than 1,200 ml or operative times longer than two hours, preoperative irradiation, and bowel preparations other than mechanical preparation and nonabsorbable antibiotics. Wound infection did not occur in patients who were prepared for the operation with the neomycin-erythromycin antibiotic regimen.