[Preparation for elective colon surgery using the mannitol-ceftriaxone method].

The study includes 450 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. Patients were divided in three groups. 140 patients were prepared with conventional enema and purgatives and a Neomycin-metronidazole prophylaxis. 160 patients of the second group were prepared with mannitol (10%) oral 12 hours before the operation and a single dose of ceftriaxone (Rocephin) 2 g intravenously 2 hours before surgery. 150 patients of the third group were prepared with mannitol by the same way described above, and a combination of ceftriaxone 2 g i. v. and metronidazole 500 mg. i. v. two hours before the operation. The study proved that the mannitol combined with ceftriaxone provides a sufficient preparation for colorectal surgery within 12 hours prior the operation. The rate of septic complications and septic deaths was higher in the first group then in the two others. The combination of metronidazole used in the third group showed no advantage versus single dose ceftriaxone alone.