Gut microbiome and surgical infections

Abstract

The microbiome is the microbial ecosystem of the body. The scientific community has moved from speaking about a cultured microbial species as a causative pathogen, to this expanded description of the diversity of a human microbial ecosystem, moving beyond simple culture and antibiotic sensitivity. The implications of GI surgery on the microbiome as well as the potential for the gut microbiota profile to lead to post-GI-surgical complications. Despite the paucity of studies of the microbiota and general surgery and vice versa many common interventions that are a necessary part of GI surgery also apply to all types of surgery. Further studies are needed to understand the theoretical basis underlying the relationship between gut microbiome and surgical infections.