This study is a randomized controlled trial conducted at University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City to evaluate the role of mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) in patients undergoing laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with totally intracorporeal anastomosis for colon cancer.

Mechanical bowel preparation is commonly used before colorectal surgery to reduce bowel contents and potentially decrease the risk of postoperative infections. However, its benefit remains controversial, particularly in intracorporeal anastomosis, where intra-abdominal contamination may influence surgical outcomes.

In this study, eligible patients will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: with or without mechanical bowel preparation before surgery. The study aims to compare intraoperative events, postoperative complications, and recovery outcomes between the two groups.

The primary outcome is the rate of surgical site infection (SSI) within 30 days after surgery. Secondary outcomes include intraoperative fecal contamination, anastomotic leakage, postoperative ileus, operative time, and recovery parameters such as time to first bowel movement and length of hospital stay.

The findings of this study are expected to clarify the role of mechanical bowel preparation in reducing postoperative infections and improving surgical outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic right hemicolectomy.

This randomized controlled trial evaluates the role of mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) in patients undergoing laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with totally intracorporeal anastomosis for colon cancer. Participants are randomly assigned to receive MBP or no MBP prior to surgery using a web-based minimization algorithm. The primary endpoint is surgical site infection within 30 days. Secondary outcomes include intraoperative contamination, anastomotic leakage, postoperative ileus, operative time, and recovery parameters. The study aims to determine whether MBP improves surgical outcomes in this setting.

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

Individual participant data underlying the results reported in this study, after de-identification, will be shared.

Data will be available beginning 6 months after publication and ending 36 months after publication

Data will be shared with researchers who provide a methodologically sound proposal. Proposals should be directed to the corresponding investigator. Data access will be granted following approval of the proposal and signing of a data access agreement.

Participants are aware of their assigned intervention due to the nature of mechanical bowel preparation. The operating surgeons (investigators) are blinded to group allocation. Allocation is concealed using a centralized web-based randomization system, and group assignments are accessible only to designated research staff responsible for preoperative preparation. The allocation is not disclosed to the surgical team prior to surgery. Standardized perioperative protocols are applied to minimize potential bias.