Infections remain a prevalent complication after major abdominal surgery. The common belief that most surgical site infections (SSIs) following elective surgery with modern antiseptic techniques are due to intraoperative contamination is still not confirmed. Therefore, alternative mechanisms for SSI development, such as the Trojan Horse theory-which suggests that pathogens from distant sites like the gastrointestinal tract may cause postoperative infections-should be explored. This study aims to analyze the preoperative microbiome of surgical patients' gut and oral cavities and assess whether microorganisms found there are present at the infection site. Additionally, this study will investigate a panel of biomarkers for predicting postoperative infections.
The patient is scheduled to undergo a major resection-type abdominal surgery due to cancer of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, bile ducts, colon or rectum.
Patient is willing to participate.
Age ≥ 18 years.
Pregnancy.
Previous surgical resection of the digestive tract, excluding appendectomy and/or cholecystectomy.
Anticipated operation with preventive ileostomy.
The operation is planned to be performed as a matter of urgency.
National Cancer Center Affiliate of Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos
Lead sponsor
Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos
Collaborator