Probiotics - preparations containing microorganisms that are part of the normal microflora, have long been widely used in clinical practice in the treatment of various conditions. Conducted in late 2002, randomized controlled clinical trials have demonstrated the new benefits of this group of drugs. It has been found that the use of lactobacilli-containing probiotics, in combination with a special diet rich in dietary fiber, reduces the risk of postoperative infections in recipients after liver transplantation, as well as the need for surgery in acute pancreatitis.

One of these studies in Germany included 95 recipients after liver transplantation who received a special diet rich in dietary fiber (prebiotics) in combination with preparations containing Lactobacillus plantarum live or inactivated 299. L the incidence of postoperative infections was significantly lower in patients injected with live lactobacilli (13%); in the group receiving preparations containing inactivated lactobacilli, it was 48%.

In another study by Hungarian scientists, which included patients with acute pancreatitis (n = 45), the frequency of pancreatic necrosis requiring surgery was also significantly lower in patients who received live lactobacilli in complex therapy ( 4.5%). In the control group receiving probiotics containing inactivated lactobacilli, pancreatic necrosis developed in 7 of 23 patients (30%).

In both studies, therapy with probiotics containing live lactobacilli, in combination with the use of prebiotics, reduced the length of the patient's hospital stay.

The authors of the studies stress that "the use of probiotics alone is not sufficiently effective, since the microorganisms which they contain require a sufficient quantity of nutritive substrate (fiber) necessary for intensive growth, reproduction and the performance of protective functions ". In addition, according to the researchers, the duration of complex therapy (probiotics + prebiotics) to reach its protective effect should be at least 2-3 weeks or during the entire period during which probable pathogens are released from it. intestine.

Summarizing the research, Dr. G. Reid (Canadian Center for Probiotic Development and Research) notes: "These are very impressive studies, the application of the results of which could and probably should change dramatically and undoubtedly improve the approaches used for preoperative preparation and the management of patients undergoing abdominal surgery. "