Administering antibiotics 50 minutes before incision significantly lowers 30-day mortality in emergency colorectal surgeries.

• Lowest mortality rate observed: 10.5% when antibiotics given 51 minutes before incision in emergencies.
• Early or late antibiotic timing linked to higher mortality rates.

Surgeons should prioritize timely antibiotic administration to enhance patient outcomes in both elective and emergency settings.

• No significant association found between antibiotic timing and surgical site infections.