Review: bowel preparation before elective colorectal surgery increases anastomotic leakage more than no preparationMeta-analysis of randomized clinical trials of colorectal surgery with or without mechanical bowel preparation.

Slim K, Vicaut E, Panis Y, et al. Meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials of colorectal surgery with or without mechanical bowel preparation. Br J Surg 2004; 91: 1125–30.SlimKVicautEPanisYet alMeta-analysis of randomized clinical trials of colorectal surgery with or without mechanical bowel preparation.Br J Surg2004911125-30Q How does mechanical bowel preparation (preparation and cleansing of the bowel before colorectal surgery) compare with no preparation before elective colorectal surgery?

For correspondence: Dr K Slim, Department of General and Digestive Surgery, Hôtel-Dieu, Clermont-Ferrand, France. [email protected]

Source of funding: no external funding.