Could skipping bowel prep before colon surgery be just as safe?

NCT ID NCT04931173

Not yet recruiting Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Mount Sinai Hospital, Canada Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looks at whether it's safe to skip mechanical bowel preparation (the drink that cleans out your colon) before colon surgery. Currently, the best practice combines that drink with antibiotics to prevent infections. The trial will compare two groups: one getting the drink plus antibiotics, and one getting only antibiotics. If the antibiotic-only group has the same low infection rate, patients could avoid the discomfort of bowel prep.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) and oral antibiotics (OA) plus intravenous antibiotics (IVA)
What this could lead to: If skipping mechanical bowel prep works as well as using it, patients could avoid uncomfortable side effects before colon surgery.
What could go wrong: This is a non-inferiority trial, so it may show that skipping bowel prep leads to more infections. Results may not apply to all patients or surgeries.

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.

colon carcinoma diverticulitis inflammatory bowel disease Surgical Wound Infection

As listed by the trial registrant

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

COLORECTAL SURGERY

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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.