OBJECTIVETo compared the early outcomes of patients undergoing elective surgeries for colon cancer with and without preoperative mechanical bowel preparation.

METHODSBetween July, 2014 and February, 2016, patients undergoing elective surgery for colon cancer with primary anastomosis were randomly assigned into control group with mechanical bowel preparation 12 h before surgery and treatment group without mechanical bowel preparation. Baseline data collection was completed within 12 h after the operation. The levels of hemoglobin, total protein, albumin, prealbumin and albumin

RESULTSSeventy-six patients were assigned in the treatment group and 72 in the control group. Significant differences were found in the incidence of wound infection and intra-abdominal infection (P<0.05) but not in that of anastomotic leakage or early postoperative bowel obstruction (P>0.05) between the two 2 groups. The first flatus time (P=0.03) and prealbumin level on the first postoperative day (P=0.03) differed significantly between the two groups, but the operation time was similar between them (P=0.06).

CONCLUSIONIn patients undergoing elective surgeries for colon cancer, preoperative mechanical bowel preparation is associated with increased postoperative complications, delayed recovery of intestinal motility and poorer nutrition status early after the operation.