&NA;A preoperative schedule based on three principles: rigorous mechanical cleansing of the intestine, nutrition for four days with a formula diet (Biosorbin MCT), and short‐time systemic prophylaxis with doxycycline has been tested in a prospective study of 252 patients who underwent elective colorectal surgery. There were 11 wound infections, most of them of minor importance (4.4 per cent). Intra‐abdominal abscesses occurred intwo patients, both successfully reoperated, giving an overall incidence of septic complications of 5.1 per cent. The schedule was easy for the staff to administer, well tolerated by the patients, and inexpensive. The complication rate is probably as low as could be anticipated with this type of surgery.