1. Thirty-seven patients, undergoing colon surgery, were studied clinically and bacteriologically, to determine the efficacy
of a 72-hour preoperative preparation with nystatin-neomycin and mechanical cleansing of the colon.
2. Thirteen additional patients were studied clinically, to determine the efficacy of these methods.
3. In this series of 50 patients there were no deaths, wound infections, anastomotic leaks or instances of staphylococcal
enterocolitis.
4. The bacterial and yeast flora were satisfactorily controlled.
5. Mechanical cleansing of the large bowel was satisfactory, in 46 of 50 patients.
6. No adverse side effects were noted after administration of the nystatin-neomycin combination.