Antibiotics covering aerobic and aerobic bacteria should be delivered orally and intravenously prior to colorectal surgery.  Antibiotics delivered within this framework will reduce the risk of postoperative SWI by at least 75%.  Further research is required to establish the optimal timing and duration of dosing, and frequency of longer-term adverse effects such as Clostridium difficile pseudomembranous colitis.
[Antibiotic prophylaxis in elective colon surgery: comparison of the combination of metronidazole (Flagyl)/cefazolin (Kefzol) with cefazolin alone].
In this prospective trial prevention of infectious complications after elective colonic surgery was studied. 34 patients receiving i.v. cefazolin were compared to 32 patients receiving oral metronidazol and i.v. cefazolin. No significant difference was observed concerning local wound infection, septicemia, anastomotic dehiscence or death. The rate of postoperative infection was 53% in group I, 34% in group II. No side effects of this prophylaxis were observed.