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A Meta‐Analysis of Probiotic and Synbiotic Use in Elective Surgery
Author(s) -
Kinross James Macalister,
Markar Sheraz,
Karthikesalingam Alan,
Chow Andre,
Penney Nicholas,
Silk David,
Darzi Ara
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.935
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1941-2444
pISSN - 0148-6071
DOI - 10.1177/0148607112452306
Subject(s) - synbiotics , medicine , probiotic , randomized controlled trial , incidence (geometry) , sepsis , meta analysis , perioperative , odds ratio , placebo , surgery , biology , genetics , physics , alternative medicine , pathology , bacteria , optics
Background : Perioperative nutrition modulation of gut microbiota is increasingly used as a strategy for reducing the infective complications of elective surgery. This meta‐analysis assessed the effect of probiotic and synbiotic preparations on the incidence of postoperative sepsis. Methods : Randomized controlled trials that compared preoperative dosing of probiotics and synbiotics in patients undergoing elective general surgical procedures were included. The primary outcome measure was the postoperative sepsis rate. Pooled outcome measures were determined using random effects models. Results : Thirteen randomized controlled trials totaling 962 patients were included in this analysis (304 received synbiotics and 182 received probiotics). The incidence of postoperative sepsis was reduced in the probiotic group vs the control (pooled odds ratio [OR] = 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23–0.75; P = .003) and in the synbiotic group vs the control (pooled OR = 0.25; 95% CI, 0.1–0.6; P = .002). However, subgroup analysis failed to identify a significant reduction in the incidence of pneumonia, urinary tract infections, or wound infections in the postoperative phase for either treatment group. Synbiotics reduced the length of postoperative antibiotic use (weighted mean differences = −1.71; 95% CI, −3.2 to −0.21; P = .03). Conclusion : Probiotic and synbiotic nutrition strategies reduce the incidence of postoperative sepsis in the elective general surgery setting. These effects appear more pronounced with the use of synbiotics. High‐powered, mechanistic studies are now required for the optimization of pro‐ and prebiotic regimens to further improve their efficacy.