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Mechanical bowel preparation before colon resection reduced mortality, cancer recurrence

Issue: June 10, 2013

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Patients with colon cancer who underwent mechanical bowel preparation before resection experienced reduced mortality and disease recurrence 5 years after surgery, according to study results.

Researchers evaluated 947 participants who underwent resection to treat colon cancer between 1999 and 2005. Of them, 499 underwent mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) and 448 did not.

The mortality rate 5 years after surgery was significantly higher in the non-MBP group (36% vs. 29%; P=.014). Colon cancer was identified as a contributing cause of death more often in the non-MBP group (68% vs 52%). Recurrence also occurred more frequently in the non-MBP group (22% of cases vs. 15%; P=.009).

The explanation for the reduced mortality and recurrence rate in the MBP arm is unclear, and further analysis is necessary, the researchers wrote.

Reference:

Disclosure:

The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.