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Patients who undergo colorectal surgery have up to a 30% chance of developing a surgical site infection postoperatively. Silverlon is a silver nylon dressing designed to prevent surgical site infections, but only anecdotal evidence has previously supported its efficacy.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of silver nylon dressings in patients undergoing colorectal surgery.We performed a prospective, randomized, controlled trial comparing a silver nylon dressing with gauze dressings in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery.The study was performed at a university-based, tertiary referral center.We studied patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery with an abdominal skin incision of at least 3 cm.Patients were randomly assigned to receive either a silver nylon or a gauze dressing.The primary end point was surgical site infection occurring within 30 days of surgery.One hundred ten patients were enrolled in the study and were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups. After a 30-day follow-up period, the incidence of surgical site infection was lower in the silver nylon group compared with the control group (13% vs 33%, P = .011). Twenty-five patients in the study developed superficial surgical site infections, 5 in the silver nylon group and 14 in the control group (P = .021). Two patients in the study group developed deep wound infections compared with 4 in the control group (P = .438). Multivariate analysis revealed that patients in the control group had a 3-fold increase in risk of infection compared with patients in the silver nylon group (P = .013).A limitation of this study is that the members of the surgical team were not blinded to the treatment groups.Silver nylon is safe and effective in preventing surgical site infection following colorectal surgery.

Background Overall, colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence in the US has decreased over the last 30 years, yet it has increased in patients younger than 50. Cancers in this population are more aggressive and advanced at diagnosis. Our goal was to determine if screening should begin at a younger age. To accomplish this, we analyzed the rates of change in CRC incidence, and compared the incidence with that of cervical cancer (CC), which is screened earlier. Locations of CRC were compared to determine the appropriate screening method. Study Design Incidence statistics were obtained from the Cancer Query System of the SEER database. Data were obtained from 1987 to 2006 in age groups of 5-year increments from 0 to 4 years old to 85+ years old for incidences of colon, rectal, and overall CRC. Combined data from 2002 to 2006 were queried to determine the locations of tumors and the overall incidence of CRC and CC at different ages. Results Across age groups 20 to 49, CRC incidence was higher in 2006 than in 1987. The most significant increase was from age 40 to 44, where CRC increased from a low of 10.7 per 100,000 in 1988 to 17.9 per 100,000 in 2006 (67%). Colon and rectal cancer increased 56% and 94%, respectively. People older than 50 had decreasing incidences. Approximately 30% of cancers in patients aged 35 to 49 occurred proximal to the splenic flexure. The incidence of CRC cancer equaled and subsequently surpassed CC in the 40 to 44 age group. Conclusions The most significant increase in CRC has occurred in patients ages 40 to 44. Patients over 50 continued to see a decline. Many of these cancers would be missed with sigmoidoscopy. Consideration should be given for age-based colonoscopic screening beginning at age 40, an age at which the incidence mirrors other accepted screened cancers.