Prevention of wound infection after elective colorectal resection.

Various operative wound handling techniques have been proposed to prevent wound infections after elective colorectal resection, including pelvic drains, wound wicks, topical antibiotics, and subcutaneous drains. Review of 243 consecutive elective colorectal resections performed between 1977 and 1983, in which 64 percent of the patients had significant underlying medical problems, 27 percent were over age 70, and 45 percent had concomitant abdominal procedures, revealed that consistent application of a uniform perioperative protocol emphasizing aseptic and antiseptic techniques minimizes wound and anastomotic infectious complications. Simple wound closure in this setting is sufficient to prevent incisional wound infections.