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.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Hôpital Montfort
Ottawa, Ontario, K1K 0T2, Canada
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Queensway Carleton Hospital
Ottawa, Ontario, K2H 8P4, Canada
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Renfrew Victoria Hospital
Renfrew, Ontario, K7V 1P6, Canada
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The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre
Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8M2, Canada
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The Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre
Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 3A7, Canada
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University Health Network
Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4, Canada