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Preoperative mechanical bowel preparation in elective colorectal surgery: an update of systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis

Abstracts

The belief that mechanical bowel preparation is related to the reduction of complications in elective colorectal surgery is based on observational studies and expert opinion. This question led the authors to a systematic literature review, with the completion of meta-analysis, followed by three updates. METHOD: The sources of information were EMBASE, LILACS, MEDLINE, IBECS, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and letters to the authors. The studies were included according to the randomization criteria. The studied variables were: anastomotic dehiscence, mortality and operatory wound infection. The analysis was divided into two comparisons: one group with mechanical preparation (Group A) compared with a group without preparation (Group B) (Comparison I) and a group submitted to rectal enema (Comparison II). RESULTS: We analyzed 5,805 patients in 20 clinical trials. In comparison I, anastomotic leak occurred in 4.4% (101/2,275 patients) in Group A and 4.5% (103/2,258 patients) in Group B. In comparison II, anastomotic leak occurred in 4.4% (27/601 patients) in Group A and 3.4% (21/609 patients) in Group B. CONCLUSION: Despite the inclusion of more studies, evidences found in studies did not show any benefit obtained from the use of preoperative mechanical bowel preparation or rectal cleansing enemas in elective colorectal surgery.

colorectal surgery; review; meta-analysis; postoperative complications; anastomotic leak


A crença de que o preparo mecânico do cólon está relacionado à diminuição de complicações na cirurgia colorretal eletiva é baseada em estudos observacionais e opinião de especialistas. Seu questionamento motivou os autores na busca sistemática da literatura, com a realização de meta-análise, seguida de três atualizações. MÉTODO: Fontes de informação foram EMBASE, LILACS, MEDLINE, IBECS, Registros de Ensaios Clínicos Casualizados da Colaboração Cochrane e cartas para os autores. Os estudos foram incluídos de acordo com os critérios de casualização. Os desfechos clínicos estudados foram: deiscência anastomótica, mortalidade e infecção da ferida operatória. A análise dos grupos foi dividida em duas comparações: comparação I, grupo submetido a preparo mecânico do cólon (Grupo A) comparado ao grupo sem preparo (Grupo B); comparação II, Grupo A, submetido a preparo do cólon e Grupo B, realizado apenas enema retal. RESULTADOS: Foram analisados 5.805 doentes em 20 ensaios clínicos. Na comparação I, deiscência anastomótica ocorreu em 4,4% (101/2.275 doentes) no Grupo A e 4,5% (103/2.258 doentes) no Grupo B. Na comparação II, deiscência anastomótica ocorreu em 4,4% (27/601 doentes) no Grupo A e 3,4% (21/609 doentes) no Grupo B. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar da inclusão de mais estudos, as evidências encontradas não demonstraram benefício no uso do preparo mecânico pré-operatório do cólon, assim como de enemas de limpeza do reto em cirurgia colorretal eletiva.

cirurgia colorretal; revisão; meta-análise; complicações pós-operatórias; fístula anastomótica


ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Preoperative mechanical bowel preparation in elective colorectal surgery. An update of systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis

Katia Ferreira GüenagaI; Delcio MatosII; Peer Wille-JørgensenIII

IDoctor in Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Escola Paulista de Medicina - São Paulo (SP), Brazil; Physician at the Coloproctology Service, Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Santos and at the Digestive Endoscopy Service, Hospital Ana Costa de Santos - Santos (SP), Brazil

IIFull Professor of Surgical Gastroenterology at UNIFESP, Escola Paulista de Medicina - São Paulo (SP), Brazil

IIIEditor-coordinator of the Colorectal Cancer Group, the Cochrane Collaboration - Copenhagen, Denmark

Correspondence to Correspondence to: Katia Ferreira Güenaga Rua Ministro João Mendes, 60, apto 31, Embaré CEP: 11040-260 - Santos (SP), Brazil E-mail: kfg012@terra.com.br

ABSTRACT

The belief that mechanical bowel preparation is related to the reduction of complications in elective colorectal surgery is based on observational studies and expert opinion. This question led the authors to a systematic literature review, with the completion of meta-analysis, followed by three updates.

METHOD: The sources of information were EMBASE, LILACS, MEDLINE, IBECS, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and letters to the authors. The studies were included according to the randomization criteria. The studied variables were: anastomotic dehiscence, mortality and operatory wound infection. The analysis was divided into two comparisons: one group with mechanical preparation (Group A) compared with a group without preparation (Group B) (Comparison I) and a group submitted to rectal enema (Comparison II).

RESULTS: We analyzed 5,805 patients in 20 clinical trials. In comparison I, anastomotic leak occurred in 4.4% (101/2,275 patients) in Group A and 4.5% (103/2,258 patients) in Group B. In comparison II, anastomotic leak occurred in 4.4% (27/601 patients) in Group A and 3.4% (21/609 patients) in Group B.

CONCLUSION: Despite the inclusion of more studies, evidences found in studies did not show any benefit obtained from the use of preoperative mechanical bowel preparation or rectal cleansing enemas in elective colorectal surgery.

Keywords: colorectal surgery; review; meta-analysis; postoperative complications; anastomotic leak.

RESUMO

A crença de que o preparo mecânico do cólon está relacionado à diminuição de complicações na cirurgia colorretal eletiva é baseada em estudos observacionais e opinião de especialistas. Seu questionamento motivou os autores na busca sistemática da literatura, com a realização de meta-análise, seguida de três atualizações.

MÉTODO: Fontes de informação foram EMBASE, LILACS, MEDLINE, IBECS, Registros de Ensaios Clínicos Casualizados da Colaboração Cochrane e cartas para os autores. Os estudos foram incluídos de acordo com os critérios de casualização. Os desfechos clínicos estudados foram: deiscência anastomótica, mortalidade e infecção da ferida operatória. A análise dos grupos foi dividida em duas comparações: comparação I, grupo submetido a preparo mecânico do cólon (Grupo A) comparado ao grupo sem preparo (Grupo B); comparação II, Grupo A, submetido a preparo do cólon e Grupo B, realizado apenas enema retal.

RESULTADOS: Foram analisados 5.805 doentes em 20 ensaios clínicos. Na comparação I, deiscência anastomótica ocorreu em 4,4% (101/2.275 doentes) no Grupo A e 4,5% (103/2.258 doentes) no Grupo B. Na comparação II, deiscência anastomótica ocorreu em 4,4% (27/601 doentes) no Grupo A e 3,4% (21/609 doentes) no Grupo B.

CONCLUSÃO: Apesar da inclusão de mais estudos, as evidências encontradas não demonstraram benefício no uso do preparo mecânico pré-operatório do cólon, assim como de enemas de limpeza do reto em cirurgia colorretal eletiva.

Palavras-chave: cirurgia colorretal; revisão; meta-análise; complicações pós-operatórias; fístula anastomótica.

INTRODUCTION

The constant concern about the high incidence of infectious complications in elective colorectal surgery has been present in the traditional ritual of preoperative mechanical bowel preparation1-3. The exhaustive cleansing of intestinal content, given its high potential for contamination, is considered the most important factor in the prevention of complications by most surgeons. Since Halsted, the presence of stool inside the bowel has been listed as the main cause of anastomotic dehiscences4. It is difficult to state with precision when the preoperative mechanical bowel preparation appeared in this history of colorectal surgery. Maunsell, in early 1890's, introduced the bowel and rectum cleansing5. Since then, several methods of mechanical colon cleansing have been used, via anterograde and/or retrograde routes, which indicates that, so far, no standard mechanical bowel preparation method has been established. Based on some studies6-8, where the authors clinically investigated the exclusively antibiotic prophylaxis administration in elective colorectal surgery, the importance of stool in the anastomotic area started to be questioned. Reports of emergency surgeries9-12 also aroused suspicions regarding the need for mechanical bowel preparation in elective colorectal surgery. In 1966, Hughes said that mechanical preparation would please the surgeon, who likes to operate a clean bowel, and that such measure would not bring reduced surgical morbimortality. The same author, some years later, published a randomized clinical study13 on elective colorectal surgery and suggested that the preparation would not be required, as there was no significant difference between the group that received preoperative mechanical preparation and the group that did not receive it.

Randomized clinical trials14 are the best type of study to answer questionings and help in the adoption of a certain clinical practice. However, this type of study can involve several technical and/or financial difficulties and require a long follow-up period. A solution for such questionings is to find all clinical trials performed, evaluate them regarding their methodological quality and synthesize them. It can be performed in a systematic review of clinical trials, which is a reproducible method and presents defined evaluation criteria for the inclusion and exclusion of studies, according to their quality, synthesizing the information in an understandable manner, to help in clinical decision-making process15,16. Then, we decided to conduct a systematic review of the literature, with a meta-analysis, if possible. We attempted to review and synthesize the clinical evidences found about updates on the mechanical bowel preparation in elective colorectal surgery.

This review has its original publication and two other prior updates, in which more studies were included. The latest update provides the analysis of new studies and the inclusion of a second comparison: mechanical bowel preparation versus rectal enema, as some authors from included studies believe that rectal cleansing, in low colorectal surgeries, can promote easier handling at the moment of anastomosis17-21. A more comprehensive version of this update will available at the Cochrane Library.

OBJECTIVE

Analyze the results of the comparison between the use, or nonuse, of the preoperative bowel mechanical preparation in elective colorectal surgery with anastomotic dehiscence as the primary clinical outcome.

The purpose of the update is to determine whether the mechanical preparation before the elective colorectal surgery is really essential for the patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study method was a systematic review and a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials, conducted in the Postgraduate Program in Surgical Gastroenterology at the Universidade Federal de São Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina, at the Brazilian Cochrane Centre and the Colorectal Cancer Group of the Cochrane Collaboration in Copenhagen (Denmark).

Inclusion criteria

This study included randomized clinical trials that compared the mechanical bowel preparation to non-preparation, or the mechanical bowel preparation to rectal enema, in patients submitted to elective colorectal surgery. Participants: patients - adults or children - submitted to elective colorectal surgery. Interventions: no restriction was considered regarding the type of preparation used.

Identification of trials

No restriction was made regarding dates or idioms; these trials were obtained from the following computer databases: EMBASE, LILACS, MEDLINE, IBECS, CCTR (Cochrane Controlled Trials Register). The search strategy was that of the Cochrane Collaboration for randomized clinical trials22 (Table 1).

Selection of trials

The randomization process description was carefully observed, and the trial inclusion depended especially in this evaluation. Only articles classified as A (suitable) or B (undetermined) were included.

Selection of clinical outcomes

The following outcomes were relevant to the study:

  • Anastomotic dehiscence: bowel content discharge through the anastomosis site, with clinical symptoms. It can be confirmed using clinical or radiological methods. Analyzed globally and stratified as low colorectal, with anastomosis below the splenic flexure, and colonic, with intraperitoneal anastomosis;

  • Mortality: defined as the number of intra-hospital deaths due to complications from the intervention;

  • Operatory wound infection: presence of contaminated secretion at the abdominal wound.

Data collection

The following computer program was used: Review Manager (RevMan), Version 5.1. Copenhagen: The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, 2011), in which the relevant data were introduced and organized.

Statistical analysis

The statistical analysis was performed with Metaview (RevMan 5.1.2), using the method of absolute risk difference, with confidence interval of 95% (model of random effect)23 and p<0.05. The statistical heterogeneity test was used when required.

Sensitivity analysis

The sensitivity analysis was performed in two manners: the first included the trials with suitable randomization and the second included trials in which all patients had been submitted to primary anastomoses. Data were calculated for the clinical outcomes of anastomotic dehiscence and operatory wound infection.

RESULTS

Description of trials

The first review publication included five trials24-28, with total 824 participants: 408 patients in the group with mechanical bowel preparation (Group A) and 416 patients in the group without mechanical bowel preparation (Group B). The evidences found were insufficient to show statistical significance between the groups and a result that favored the group submitted to mechanical bowel preparation did not occur. The doubt about rectal surgery with cleansing enema appeared among the authors of some trials included and among the reviewers.

The first update included four new trials17,21,29,30 and total 830 patients: 414 in Group A and 416 in Group B. Heterogeneous clinical outcomes were observed, but the authors suggested to skip the mechanical bowel preparation, as it would be associated with higher incidence anastomotic dehiscence in colorectal surgery.

With the second update, five other trials were included: four published trials31-34 and one unpublished trial (Jung 2006) - a personal communication of Peer Wille-JØrgensen with author Bärbel Jung in December 2006 - totaling 3167 patients: Group A=1595 and Group B=1572. The result remained without statistic difference between the groups.

The third update included six new trials18-20,35-37, with total 838 patients: Group A=493 and Group B=495.

Overall, 19 published trials and one unpublished trial (Jung, 2006) were included, totaling 5,805 participants. The analysis of both groups was made in two comparisons:

  • Comparison 1: With mechanical bowel preparation (Group A=2305) versus without mechanical bowel preparation (Group B=2290)

    24-37 and Jung (2006, personal communication);

  • Comparison 2: Mechanical bowel preparation (Group A=601)

    versus rectal enema (Group B=609)

    17-21.

The studies conducted by Van't Sant37 and Jung (2006, personal communication) allowed the evaluation of some clinical outcomes only, as data were obtained from larger trials31,32; they analyzed the patients submitted to low colorectal surgery.

Seven trials were excluded since the first publication, due to several reasons: series of patients38; no control group39,40; data verification in congress13; retrospective study41; case-control study42; study evaluating antimicrobial substances7.

Four authors of the trials included in our review14,18,20,24 answered our correspondence and sent data that allowed to stratify anastomoses as colic and low colorectal.

Eight trials included in our review were multicenter studies17,21,27,29,31,32,35 and Jung (2006, personal communication).

Some studies included procedures without anastomosis24,26,28,30,36; two excluded these participants from the clinical outcome of anastomotic dehiscence24,36; four excluded patients not submitted to primary anastomosis19,20,25,27. Some authors performed temporary decompression of anastomosis, with ileostomy or colostomy18,19,35 (Table 2).

Clinical outcomes analyzed

I. Comparison 1: With mechanical preparation versus without mechanical preparation

(i) Stratified anastomotic dehiscence:

  • Low colorectal: 88% in Group A (38 in 431 patients), compared to 10.3% in Group B (43 in 415 patients). Peto

    odds ratio (OR) 0.88, 95% confidence interval: 0.55-1.40: not significant. Without statistical heterogeneity in the trials included

    25,27,28,35-37 and Jung (2006, personal communication).

  • Colic: 3.0% in Group A (47 in 1559 patients) compared to 3.5% (56 in 1558 patients) in Group B. Peto OR 0.85, 95% confidence interval: 0.58-1.26: not significant. Without statistical heterogeneity

    25,27,29,31-33,36.

  • Overall anastomotic dehiscence: 4.5% in Group A (104 in 2302 patients) and 4.5% (103 in 2275 patients). Peto OR 1.01, 95% confidence interval: 0.76-1.34: not significant. Heterogeneity test: Χ

    2 test=22.91, diff=13 (p=0.04); I

    2=43%

    24-36 and Jung (2006, personal communication) (

    Figures 1 and

    2 ).


(ii) Mortality: 1.6% in Group A (35 in 2094 patients), compared to 1.8% in Group B (38 in 2072 patients). Peto OR 0.93, 95% confidence interval: 0.58-1.47: not significant. Without statistical heterogeneity25-28,31-36.

(iii) Operatory wound infection: 9.6% in Group A (223 in 2305 patients) and 8.5% in Group B (196 in 2290 patients). Peto OR 1.16, 95% confidence interval: 0.95-1.42: not significant. Without statistical heterogeneity in the trials included24-36 (Table 3 and Figures 1 and 2 ).

Sensitivity analysis

(iv) Trials with suitable randomization: without statistical difference, with p values of 0.46 in Group A and 0.27 in Group B26-29,31-33,35,36.

(v) Trials in which the patients were submitted to primary anastomoses: without statistical difference in the studies included and p values of 0.71 in Group A and 0.53 in Group B24,25,27,29,31-33,35.

The funnel plots for clinical outcomes - overall anastomotic dehiscence and operatory wound infection - did not significant asymmetry and, consequently, no publication bias (Figure 3).


II. Comparison 2: Mechanical preparation version rectal enema

(i) Stratified anastomotic dehiscence:

  • Low colorectal: 7.4% in Group A (8 in 107 patients), compared to 7.9% in Group B (7 in 88 patients). Peto OR 0.93, 95% confidence interval: 0.34-2.52: not significant. Without statistical heterogeneity

    18,20,21;

  • Colic: 4.0% in Group A (11 in 269 patients) compared to 2.0% (6 in 299 patients) in Group B. Peto OR 2.15, 95% confidence interval: 0.79-5.84: not significant. Without statistical heterogeneity

    18,20,21.

  • Overall anastomotic dehiscence: 4.4% in Group A (27 in 601 patients) and 3.4% in Group B (21 in 609 patients). Peto OR 1.32, 95% confidence interval: 0.74-2.36: not significant. Heterogeneity test: Χ

    2 test=4.49, diff=4 (p=0.34); I

    2=11%

    17-21 (

    Figures 4 and

    5 ).


(ii) Mortality: 1.4% in Group A (9 in 601 patients), compared to 0.9% in Group B (6 in 609 patients). Peto OR 1.47, 95% confidence interval: 0.56-3.90: not significant. Without statistical heterogeneity17-21.

(iii) Operatory wound infection: 9.9% in Group A (60 in 601 patients) and 8.0% in Group B (49 in 609 patients). Peto OR 1.26, 95% confidence interval: 0.85-1.88: not significant. Without statistical heterogeneity17-21 (Table 4 and Figures 4 and 5 ).

DISCUSSION

In the conference made by Hughes13 in 1972, none of the participants considered his suggestion to skip the mechanical bowel preparation in elective colorectal surgery. In 1987, when Irving & Scrimgeour40 published their study, demonstrating in a randomized clinical trial that bowel preparation does not reduce the risks of anastomotic dehiscence, they were vehemently criticized by one of the magazine editors41. Our review, since its first publication42, has also received a great deal of criticism. Studies have been conducted and published along the time worldwide. And today, the reaction of the medical class, based on statistical results, has another conotation43-48. Studies have also changed and more careful randomization has been a constant concern of the authors, which improves the study quality49.

Inadequate bowel preparation, with the presence of liquid content, increases the risks of infectious complications50. Some authors have described inflammatory alterations related to the preparation, with increased infectious morbidity17.

The indication of antibioticoprophylaxis is unanimous among the authors of the included studies. Several schemes, with cephalosporins, aminoglycoside or metronidazole, were prescribed before the surgeries. In 1981, Baum et al.8 compared the incidence of operatory wound infection and mortality in two groups: one that received antibioticoprophylaxis and one that received placebo. The author suggested that studies without antimicrobial prophylaxis should not be conducted anymore, due to the high rate of complications.

The authors of trials included in this review used bowel preparation methods such as mannitol, polyethylene glycol, phospho soda, laxatives, glycerin solutions and diets; all of them already exhaustively tested by them, in terms of complications. We believe that there is no bias regarding this condition.

Some criticism may be received regarding, for instance, the inclusion of patients without restoration of colon continuity. We performed the sensitivity analysis, excluding these results, and no statistically significant difference was observed.

Another comment is about the surgeon's experience, which directly influences anastomosis-related complications; however, the authors of included trials describe that the surgeries were performed by a senior surgeon, or a resident under direct supervision of the preceptor.

The methodology quality of the trial was the main condition for the trail inclusion in the analysis. Only prospective and randomized studies were selected. When these data were not in the publication, the authors were contacted for full completion of data sheet.

Multicenter studies are also subjected to bias; however, heterogeneity is dissipated when using suitable randomization and well defined inclusion and exclusion criteria.

The authors of this review believe that the inclusion of a greater number of participants will not provide a significant change in the results of clinical outcomes in elective colon surgery. An Italian study in progress may be included in our analysis as soon as it is concluded by the authors (www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT00940030).

Regarding rectal surgery exclusively, some doubts are still unsolved. New studies that analyze low anterior anastomosis (extraperitoneal position) should be included. Is the presence of stool in the rectal ampulla a condition that disturbs the surgeon at the moment of performing mechanical or manual anastomosis? Is the cleansing with rectal enema sufficient? We believe that these questions remain without an answer.

Laparoscopic surgery is another debate question. Only three trials included laparoscopic surgeries17,19,35 - in equal number in both groups. Some surgeons say that the solid content of bowel, combined with gravity, enables better visualization. Others believe that the movement of full and heavy bowel is more difficult. Are these truths or expert opinions? Studies that analyze groups especially and exclusively submitted to laparoscopic procedures should be included, perhaps in another review.

CONCLUSION

Implications for medical practice

Preoperative mechanical bowel preparation in elective colorectal surgery has no value in the prevention of infectious complications. This review suggests that the bowel preparation should not be performed only in cases of small tumors, which have not been submitted to colonoscopy, or when postoperative colonoscopy is required.

Implications for medical research

In terms of elective colorectal surgery, as well as laparoscopic surgery, further clinical, prospective and randomized studies should be conducted, with well defined inclusion criteria, with the discussion on whether to include, or not, patients previously submitted to radiotherapy.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to than the Colorectal Cancer Group of the Cochrane Collaboration and the Brazilian Cochrane Centre for their inestimable help in the study execution, review and updates.

Special acknowledgments to Doctors Fillmann, Jung, Pena-Soria, Santos and Zmora, for their attention and sending complementary data; and Doctor Miettinen, for sending his study before publication.

NOTE

The figures were taken from the systematic review that will be published by the Cochrane Library.

Submitted on: 08/03/2011

Approved on: 09/06/2011

Financing source: none.

Conflict of interest: nothing to declare.

Study carried out at the Colorectal Cancer Group of the Cochrane Collaboration and the Brazilian Cochrane Centre.

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  • Correspondence to:
    Katia Ferreira Güenaga
    Rua Ministro João Mendes, 60, apto 31, Embaré
    CEP: 11040-260 - Santos (SP), Brazil
    E-mail:
  • Publication Dates

    • Publication in this collection
      29 June 2012
    • Date of issue
      Mar 2012

    History

    • Received
      08 Mar 2011
    • Accepted
      09 June 2011
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