Mechanical bowel preparation before elective colorectal surgery in the Gaza Strip: a survey of surgical practice

Background Many surgeons believe that postoperative complications and anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery can be reduced by preoperative mechanical bowel preparation (MBP). We surveyed the practice of surgeons in the Gaza Strip, occupied Palestinian territory, and compared this with best available evidence for use of MBP. Methods A five item questionnaire was given to the seven most senior surgeons who did almost all surgeries in the European Gaza Hospital and the Al-Shifa Hospital (the two main hospitals in the Gaza Strip). We searched the Cochrane Library for relevant evidence using the search terms "colonic" or "colon", or "colorectal electives surgery" in combination with "mechanical bowel preparation". Findings All seven surgeons stated that they routinely prescribe MBP before elective colonic or rectal surgery. Two surgeons used MBP only for left colonic surgery; the other five surveyed