Could a simple antibiotic cocktail before colon surgery slash infection risk?

NCT ID NCT03663504

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study compares two standard approaches for preparing the bowel before elective colon surgery: taking oral antibiotics (neomycin and metronidazole) the day before versus no preparation at all. The goal is to see if the antibiotics reduce surgical site infections within 30 days after surgery. About 630 adults undergoing planned colon resection are enrolled, and the results could help simplify preoperative routines.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Neomycin and Metronidazole (Flagyl) oral antibiotics

What this could lead to

If successful, this could show that taking oral antibiotics alone before colon surgery reduces the risk of post-surgical infections, potentially simplifying preoperative preparation.

What could go wrong

This is a phase 4 trial comparing existing standards of care, so it is not testing a new breakthrough. The results may not apply to all types of colon surgery, and individual patient factors could affect outcomes.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Surgical Wound Infection

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Hôpital Montfort

    Ottawa, Ontario, K1K 0T2, Canada

  • Queensway Carleton Hospital

    Ottawa, Ontario, K2H 8P4, Canada

  • Renfrew Victoria Hospital

    Renfrew, Ontario, K7V 1P6, Canada

  • The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre

    Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8M2, Canada

  • The Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre

    Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 3A7, Canada

  • University Health Network

    Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4, Canada