Does Additional Oral Antimicrobial Prophylaxis Prevent Surgical-Site Infection After Colorectal Surgery?

Surgical-site infection after colorectal surgery is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, longer hospital stays, and higher costs. Perioperative intravenous (IV) antibiotic prophylaxis (standard of care) decreases perioperative complications, whereas mechanical bowel preparation has shown no benefit. Whether additional oral antimicrobial prophylaxis can further reduce perioperative risks has been debated. French researchers conducted a prospective randomized placebo-controlled trial in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery to assess the efficacy of a single 1-g oral dose of ornidazole — a long-acting antibiotic with anaerobic activity — given 12 hours before surgery in addition to standard IV perioperative prophylaxis…