Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of these studies.
| Study | Type | Jadad scale (randomization + concealment of allocation+double blinding + withdrawals and dropouts) | Time (published) | Country | Participant | Total number (probiotics vs. placebo) | Age (probiotics vs. placebo) | Probiotics | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kotzampassi et al. | RCT | 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 5 | 2015 | Greece | One center | 164; 84/80 | Total: ≥18 years; 65.9 ± 11.5 vs. 66.4 ± 11.9 | One capsule (Lactobacillus acidophilus LA 5, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium lactis BB 12 Saccharomyces boulardii) twice a day | The day of operation and for the next 14 days |
| Liu et al. | RCT | 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 6 | 2012 | China (Taiwan) | One RCC | 150; 75/75 | Total: 25–75 years; 66.06 ± 11.02 vs. 62.28 ± 12.41 | Encapsulated bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum; Lactobacillus acidophilus11; Bifidobacterium longum 88) patients in probiotics group received 2 g/d, at a total daily dose of 2.6 × 1014 CFU | 6 days preoperatively and 10 days postoperatively |
| Liu et al. | RCT | 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 7 | 2015 | China | One ICU | 134; 66/68 | Total: 25–75 years; 66.62 ± 18.18 vs. 60.16 ± 16.20 | Encapsulated probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum; Lactobacillus acidophilus11; Bifidobacterium longum 88); patients in probiotics group received 2 g/d, at a total daily dose of 2.6 × 1014 CFU | Intervention period lasted 16 days, 6 days preoperatively and 10 days postoperatively; Detailed records were recorded for up to 30 days after surgery |
| Sadahiro et al. | RCT | 1 + 1 + 0 + 1 = 3 | 2013 | Japan | One ICU | 195; 100/95 | Total: 20-80 years; 67 ± 9 vs. 66 ± 12 | Three Bifidobacteria tablets orally after each meal three times daily | For 7 days before the operation and from postoperative day 5 for 10 days |
| Zhang et al. | RCT | 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 5 | 2011 | China | One center | 60; 30/30 | Total: None 61.5 (46–82) vs. 67.5 (45–87) | 3 oral bifid triple viable capsules (Enterococcus faecalis; Lactobacillus acidophilus; Bifidobacterium longum), 3 times a day | For 3 days (days −5 to −3) before surgery |
| Liu et al. | RCT | 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 7 | 2010 | China | One center | 100; 50/50 | Total: 25–75 years; 65.3 ± 11 vs. 65.7 ± 9.9 | Encapsulated bacteria (contain: Lactobacillus plantarum; Lactobacillus acidophilus; Bifidobacterium longum); patients in placebo group received probiotics 2 g/d, total daily dose of 2.6 × 1014 CFU | 6 days preoperatively and 10 days postoperatively |
RCT: randomized controlled trial; ICU: intensive care unit; RCC: respiratory care center.