Oral Antibiotics vs. No Antibiotics in Pediatric Colorectal Surgery

This study aims to evaluate whether giving oral antibiotics before elective colorectal surgery can improve recovery and reduce complications in children.

Colorectal surgery is commonly performed in children for conditions such as Hirschsprung disease, anorectal malformations, and other bowel disorders. Because the large intestine normally contains many bacteria, these operations carry a higher risk of infection and other postoperative complications. Some surgeons prescribe oral antibiotics before surgery to reduce the number of bacteria in the bowel, while others do not use this approach routinely.

In this study, children scheduled for elective colorectal surgery will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive oral antibiotics before surgery, while the other group will receive standard preparation without oral antibiotics. All children will otherwise receive the same surgical and postoperative care according to hospital guidelines.

Researchers will compare the two groups for important outcomes including surgical site infection, leakage from the bowel connection (anastomotic leak), and length of hospital stay. Additional information regarding recovery and postoperative complications will also be collected.

Participation in the study will not affect the quality of treatment provided. Parents or guardians may withdraw their child from the study at any time without affecting routine medical care. The results of this research may help determine whether preoperative oral antibiotics should be routinely used in children undergoing elective colorectal surgery and may contribute to improving surgical outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.