Bowel cleaning versus no bowel cleaning before laparoscopic right colectomy with internal (intracorporeal) anastomosis

The Role of Mechanical Bowel Preparation in Laparoscopic Right Hemicolectomy With Totally Intracorporeal Anastomosis for Colon Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Not applicable Interventional University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City (UMC) · NCT07546565

This trial will test whether doing a mechanical bowel preparation (bowel cleaning) before elective laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis for stage I–III colon cancer changes surgical site infection rates and recovery.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment74 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City (UMC) Academic / other
Locations1 site (Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh)
Trial IDNCT07546565 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This single-center randomized trial at University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City assigns eligible patients to either receive mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) or not before elective laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with totally intracorporeal anastomosis using a web-based minimization algorithm. The primary endpoint is surgical site infection within 30 days after surgery, and secondary endpoints include intraoperative contamination, anastomotic leakage, postoperative ileus, operative time, and recovery metrics. Patients with stage I–III colon adenocarcinoma undergoing elective curative surgery are enrolled, while those with emergency surgery, stage IV disease, or contraindications to MBP are excluded. The trial aims to clarify whether MBP meaningfully alters intraoperative contamination and short-term postoperative outcomes in the intracorporeal anastomosis setting.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with stage I–III colon adenocarcinoma scheduled for elective laparoscopic right hemicolectomy or extended right hemicolectomy with totally intracorporeal anastomosis at University Medical Center HCMC who meet surgical fitness criteria.

Not a fit: Patients unlikely to benefit include those with stage IV or recurrent disease, emergency surgery, contraindications to MBP (bowel obstruction, perforation, peritumoral abscess), inability to tolerate laparoscopic surgery, or who are undergoing palliative procedures.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If positive, the result could lower surgical site infections and speed recovery or spare patients an unnecessary and unpleasant bowel preparation.

How similar studies have performed: Prior trials of mechanical bowel preparation for colorectal surgery have shown mixed results and benefits remain unclear, and evidence specifically for procedures with intracorporeal anastomosis is limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients with colon cancer stage I-III according to the TNM classification
* Patients undergoing elective right hemicolectomy or extended right hemicolectomy with totally intracorporeal anastomosis at University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City
* Postoperative histopathological confirmation of adenocarcinoma

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients undergoing emergency surgery
* Contraindications to mechanical bowel preparation (e.g., bowel obstruction, subobstruction, bowel perforation, or peritumoral abscess)
* Contraindications to laparoscopic surgery (American Society of Anesthesiologists \[ASA\] physical status IV or V) or to intracorporeal anastomosis
* Distant metastasis at the time of surgery (stage IV according to the TNM classification)
* Recurrent colon cancer after prior surgery
* Synchronous primary malignancies in other organs
* Patients undergoing palliative surgery or surgery for tumor-related complications (non-curative intent)
* Inability to complete follow-up or be contacted

Where this trial is running

Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Colon CancerColon cancerSurgical site infectionMechanical bowel preparation
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.