This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Perioperative probiotics or synbiotics in adults undergoing elective abdominal surgery. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Ann Surg 2020; 271: 1036-1047.

Published: 25th August 2020

Authors: Chowdhury A, Adiamah A, Kushairi A, Varadhan KK, Krznaric Z, Kulkarni A et al.

Conclusion

The study included 34 RCTs reporting on 2723 procedures. Perioperative administration of probiotics or synbiotics reduced the risk of infectious complications (relative risk 0.56, 95 per cent confidence interval 0.33 to 0.66, P<0.0001). The effect was greater for synbiotics, which also reduced duration of hospital stay by 3.89 days (P=0.005). Mortality rates were similar.

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