Breaking Tradition: Bowel Preparations Questioned in Colo-Rectal Surgeries

In a retrospective dive into 1237 elective colo-rectal surgeries spanning 2008 to 2021, researchers challenged the long-standing use of mechanical bowel preparations (MBPs). No significant differences emerged between patients with MBPs, oral antibiotics, or no preparation, calling into question the routine use of MBPs in these surgeries. This study urges a rethink of the standard-of-care status for MBPs, echoing a shift away from convention in elective colo-rectal procedures.