Effects of probiotics on bowel function restoration following ileostomy closure in rectal cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial

• Published in: Colorectal disease 2021-04, Vol.23 (4), p.901-910
• Main Authors: Yoon, Byung Jun, Oh, Heung‐Kwon, Lee, Jeehye, Cho, Jung Rae, Kim, Myung Jo, Kim, Duck‐Woo, Kang, Sung‐Bum
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cancer; dysbiosis; Ileostomy; ileostomy repair; Intestine; low anterior resection syndrome; microbiota; Ostomy; Placebos; Probiotics; Quality of life; Questionnaires; Rectum
• ISSN: 1462-8910; 1463-1318
• DOI: 10.1111/codi.15463

Aim The aim was to determine the efficacy of probiotics in restoring bowel function following ileostomy reversal in patients with rectal cancer. Method This was a pilot, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. The probiotic used in this study, Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP243, was derived from kimchi. Patients were randomly allocated to a probiotic or placebo group and medication was taken once daily from preoperative day 1 to day 21. Primary outcomes were the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre Bowel Function Index (MSKCC BFI) instrument and the low anterior resection syndrome score. The secondary outcomes were the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 and CR29 questionnaire responses. Results Forty patients were enrolled, and 36 patients (probiotics, n = 17; placebo, n = 19) completed the primary outcomes. Total scores for the MSKCC questionnaire (56.2 ± 12.0 vs. 55.0 ± 10.7, P = 0.356) and low anterior resection syndrome scores (33.3 ± 7.6 vs. 36.0 ± 5.3, P = 0.257) were not significantly different between the probiotic and placebo groups, respectively. In the MSKCC BFI, the postoperative dietary scale score at week 1 was significantly higher in the probiotic group (13.1 ± 3.8 vs. 9.0 ± 3.0, P