Effects of perioperative supplementation with pro-/synbiotics on clinical outcomes in surgical patients: A meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis of randomized controlled trials.
The Potential benefits and possible risks of perioperative supplementation with probiotics/synbiotics in surgical patients are not fully understood. Recent evidence has rapidly evolved and conveys conflicting results. Thus, we undertook a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to valuate the effectiveness, safety, cost-effectiveness and quality of life of perioperative supplementation with pro-/synbiotics.



We systematically searched PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library through October 2015 to identify RCTs that assessed the effects of perioperative supplementation with pro-/synbiotics in surgical patients. The predefined primary efficacy outcome was surgical site infection (SSI). Random-effects model was applied to pool outcome data accounting for clinical heterogeneity.



Our meta-analysis included data from 34 trials comprising 2634 participants, of whom 1300 received perioperative pro-/synbiotics intervention and 1334 received valid control treatment. Compared with the control group, patients in the pro-/synbiotics group had a lower risk of SSI (relative risk: 0.65; 95% confidence interval: 0.51, 0.84; P = 0.0007). Trial sequential analysis confirmed the evidence was sufficient and conclusive. Subgroup analyses indicated the findings were consistent in all subgroup analyses except for the probiotics, enteral feeding, pre-/postoperative and live transplantation subgroups. Pro-/synbiotics also reduced the incidence of other infectious complications (including any infection, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, wound infection and sepsis); shortened antibiotic therapy, intensive care unit stay and hospital stay; and promoted earlier first defecation and first bowel movement. Pro-/synbiotics further reduced the incidence of abdominal side effects, lowered hospital costs and improved the Gastro-Intestinal Quality of Life.



For surgical patients, perioperative supplementation with pro-/synbiotics is effective in preventing or controlling SSI and other infectious complications. Perioperative pro-/synbiotics might also be associated with fewer side effects, lower hospital cost and better quality of life. Current evidence indicated that perioperative synbiotics supplementation is preferred and recommended as an adjunct in surgical patients.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
Xiang-Dong
XD
Wu
Department of Pathology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui Province, China.
Meng-Meng
MM
Liu
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
Xi
X
Liang
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
Ning
N
Hu
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China. Electronic address: drhuangwei68@gmail.com.
Wei
W
Huang
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods; D019936:Probiotics / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D058616:Synbiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Meta-analysis; Prebiotics; Probiotics; Surgery; Synbiotics