Pre-surgical Administration of Microbial Cell Preparation in Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Disruption of normal gut function is a common side effect post abdominal surgery. It may result in reduced tolerance to oral nutrition and progress to postoperative ileus. Microbial cell preparation is beneficial as a pre-surgical nutritional supplement to aid in bowel recovery and promote the return of normal gut function following abdominal surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of pre-surgical administration of microbial cell preparation in promoting the return of normal gut function.



The study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. In total, 40 patients were recruited. Patients were randomized to receive either microbial cell preparation (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) for 7 days prior to elective surgery. The primary end point was the time to return of normal gut function, while the secondary end point was the duration of hospital stay.



The treatment group demonstrated significantly faster return of normal gut function with a median of 108.5 h (80-250 h) which was 48 h earlier than the placebo group at a median of 156.5 h (94-220 h), p = 0.022. The duration of hospital stay in the treatment group was also shorter at a median of 6.5 days (4-30 days), in comparison to the placebo group at 13 days (5-25 days), p = 0.012.



Pre-surgical administration of microbial cell preparation promotes the return of normal gut function in patients after colorectal cancer surgery, thus associated with faster recovery and shorter duration of hospital stay.
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Chun Khui
CK
Tan
Department of Dietetic, University of Malaya Medical Center, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Suraya
S
Said
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Retnagowri
R
Rajandram
School of Medicine, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
Zhiqiang
Z
Wang
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
April Camilla
AC
Roslani
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. mdskfc@gmail.com.|Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Lot PT 21144, Jalan Sungai Long, Bandar Sungai Long, Cheras, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia. mdskfc@gmail.com.
Kin Fah
KF
Chin
D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011300:Preoperative Care; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020127:Recovery of Function