Effect of enteral nutrition and synbiotics on bacterial infection rates after pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy: a randomized, double-blind trial.
OBJECTIVE
Patients undergoing pancreas resection carry several risk factors for nosocomial bacterial infections. Pre- and probiotics (synbiotics) are potentially useful for prevention of these infections.


BACKGROUND
First trials in patients following major abdominal surgery including liver transplantation using one Lactobacillus (LAB) and one fiber showed significant reduction of infection rates and reduced length of antibiotic therapy compared with a control group. The present study was designed to analyze whether a combination of different LAB and fibers would further improve outcome.


METHODS
A prospective randomized monocentric double-blind trial was undertaken in 80 patients following pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD). All patients received enteral nutrition immediately postoperatively. One group (A) received a composition of 4 LAB and 4 fibers, and another group (B) received placebo (fibers only) starting the day before surgery and continuing for 8 days. Thirty-day infection rate, length of hospital stay, duration of antibiotic therapy, noninfectious complications, and side effects were recorded.


RESULTS
The incidence of postoperative bacterial infections was significantly lower with LAB and fibers (12.5%) than with fibers only (40%). In addition, the duration of antibiotic therapy was significantly shorter in the latter group. Fibers and LAB were well tolerated.


CONCLUSIONS
Early enteral nutrition supplemented with a mixture of LAB and fibers reduces bacterial infection rates and antibiotic therapy following PPPD.
Rayes
Nada
N
Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Charité Campus Virchow, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany. nada.rayes@charite.de
Seehofer
Daniel
D
Theruvath
Tom
T
Mogl
Martina
M
Langrehr
Jan M
JM
Nüssler
Natascha C
NC
Bengmark
Stig
S
Neuhaus
Peter
P
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016577:Pancreaticoduodenectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011708:Pylorus / Q000601:surgery*; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents