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The role of probiotics in gastrointestinal surgery

Maria Isabel T D Correia1, Juliana C Liboredo, Marcella L D Consoli

  • 1Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. isabel_correia@uol.com.br

Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.)
|February 7, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Probiotics may help prevent infections after surgery by supporting gut health. This review explores their mechanisms and effectiveness in surgical patients, despite some mixed results.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • The intestinal microbiota is crucial for host health, maintaining epithelial barrier integrity and mucosal immunity.
  • The gut microbiota can be a source of infectious complications, particularly after gastrointestinal surgery, a concept known as the gut origin of sepsis.
  • Probiotics have shown potential benefits in managing such conditions, though results are sometimes controversial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the proposed mechanisms of probiotic action in the context of gastrointestinal surgery.
  • To summarize recent advancements in understanding probiotic efficacy and safety for surgical patients.
  • To evaluate the role of probiotics in preventing and treating post-surgical complications.

Main Methods:

  • This is a review article, synthesizing existing literature on probiotics and gastrointestinal surgery.
  • The review focuses on proposed mechanisms of action and clinical evidence.
  • Key areas include epithelial barrier function, mucosal immunity, and sepsis prevention.

Main Results:

  • Probiotics may modulate the gut microbiota composition and function.
  • Evidence suggests potential benefits in reducing infectious complications and improving outcomes after gastrointestinal surgery.
  • Further research is needed to clarify optimal strains, dosages, and safety profiles.

Conclusions:

  • Probiotics show promise in managing the gut origin of sepsis and related complications in surgical settings.
  • Careful assessment of probiotic efficacy and safety is essential for their clinical application in surgical patients.
  • This review highlights the progress and ongoing research in this significant field.

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