The international surgical journal with global reach

This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Preoperative oral antibiotics and surgical-site infections in colon surgery (ORALEV): a multicentre, single-blind, pragmatic, randomised controlled trial. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 5: 729-738.

Published: 9th June 2021

Authors: Basany EE, Solis-Pena A, Pellino G, Kreisler E, Fraccalvieri D, Muinelo-Lorenzo M et al.

Conclusion

All 565 patients were treated without bowel preparation and had a single dose of intravenous antibiotics at anaesthetic induction. Additional oral antibiotics on the day before surgery reduced the rate of surgical site infection: 5 versus 11 per cent, P=0.013.

Pubmed Link