Abstract
ObjectivesSurgery can significantly improve the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer. However, some patients are at a later stage at diagnosis and need to receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Previous studies have shown that NACT may lead to more postoperative complications. Probiotics have the potential to reduce postoperative complications and infections, but no similar clinical trials have been conducted in patients with gastric cancer receiving NACT. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of probiotics on postoperative infections and other short-term outcomes in patients with gastric cancer receiving NACT. MethodsThis was a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. All patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery after NACT were included and randomized into a probiotic group (PG; n = 33) or a control group (CG; n = 33). Postoperative infectious complications, recovery of gastrointestinal function, postoperative hospital stay, medical costs, time to initiate adjuvant chemotherapy, 30-d readmission and mortality, and common laboratory inflammatory indexes were observed. ResultsPG patients had significantly fewer postoperative infections (P = 0.027). Time to first flatus and bowel movement was quicker (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively) and inflammatory indexes were lower in the PG patients. Postoperative hospital length of stay was shorter in the PG than in the CG (P = 0.001). Due to fewer postoperative infections and faster recovery, adjuvant chemotherapy was initiated earlier in PG patients (P < 0.001). ConclusionsPerioperative probiotic supplements can reduce postoperative infection, improve short-term clinical outcomes, and reduce the level of common inflammatory indicators in patients with gastric cancer receiving NACT. Patients in the PG started adjuvant chemotherapy earlier than CG patients.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
