[Probiotics empower postoperative intestinal function recovery after colorectal surgery: mechanisms and clinical...

Gastrointestinal dysfunction is a common and significant complication in colorectal surgical practice, which is associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis caused by various perioperative interventions. Currently, enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have been increasingly adopted in clinical practice, greatly accelerating the recovery of postoperative intestinal function. However, there are still no effective interventions in the ERAS protocols to target surgery-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis. Probiotics, as a key treatment method targeting the gut microbiota, can stimulate intestinal motility, inhibit the colonization of pathogenic bacteria, enhance intestinal barrier function, among other effects. Based on these effects of probiotics, they are expected to resolve the neglected gut microbiota dysbiosis, further accelerating the postoperative recovery of intestinal function after colorectal surgery. This article reviews the mechanisms and clinical progress in postoperative bowel functional recovery after colorectal surgery.