Mechanical bowel preparation in the older surgical patient.

A major risk of colon resection is contamination from the bowel. Poor cleansing of the colon has been associated with an increased incidence of wound infections and intra-abdominal abscesses. Despite controversy on the usefulness of colon cleansing methods, mechanical bowel preparation along with oral and intravenous antibiotics have become common preoperative practice. The population is aging, and surgeons and endoscopists are going to be increasingly involved in the care of older patients. This review focuses on various colon cleansing methods and examines specific issues in older patients.