Our Summary

This research paper looks into the connection between bowel resection surgery and Non-typhoidal salmonella (NTS) infection. NTS is a dangerous bacterial infection that can cause high death rates. When a person has bowel resection surgery, where a part of their bowel is removed, it can affect the bacteria and immune function in their gut.

The study used health insurance data from Taiwan, tracking people who had the surgery from the year 2000 to 2013. They compared each person who had the surgery to a similar person who did not have the surgery, considering factors like age, gender, and overall health.

The results showed that people who had bowel resection surgery were more likely to get an NTS infection than those who didn’t have the surgery. The risk was especially high for people who had their small bowel or right side of the colon removed. It also found that certain age groups (31-40 and over 50) and people with health conditions like high blood pressure, kidney disease, lung disease, and autoimmune diseases were at a higher risk of getting an NTS infection.

Interestingly, the study also found that people who didn’t have any other health conditions were more likely to get an NTS infection after bowel resection surgery. This suggests that having this surgery could increase the risk of NTS infection.

FAQs

  1. What is the connection between bowel resection surgery and Non-typhoidal salmonella (NTS) infection?
  2. Are certain parts of the bowel more susceptible to NTS infection after resection surgery?
  3. Does bowel resection surgery increase the risk of NTS infection for healthy individuals?

Doctor’s Tip

A doctor may advise a patient undergoing bowel resection surgery to be vigilant about food safety and hygiene practices to reduce the risk of NTS infection. This may include thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables, cooking meat thoroughly, and avoiding raw or undercooked eggs. Additionally, they may recommend taking probiotics or other supplements to help maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut. It is important for patients to discuss any concerns or questions they have with their healthcare provider before and after the surgery.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for bowel resection surgery include those with conditions such as:

  1. Colon cancer
  2. Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)
  3. Diverticulitis
  4. Intestinal obstruction
  5. Intestinal perforation
  6. Severe gastrointestinal bleeding
  7. Trauma to the abdomen
  8. Intestinal tumors

It is important for patients to discuss their individual risk factors and reasons for needing bowel resection surgery with their healthcare provider to determine if the benefits outweigh the potential risks, such as an increased risk of NTS infection.

Timeline

Before bowel resection surgery:

  1. Patient experiences symptoms that necessitate the need for bowel resection, such as severe abdominal pain, bowel obstruction, or intestinal blockage.
  2. Patient undergoes pre-operative tests and consultations with healthcare providers to determine the need for surgery and assess their overall health.
  3. Patient is admitted to the hospital for the surgery and undergoes pre-operative preparations, such as fasting and bowel preparation.

After bowel resection surgery:

  1. Patient undergoes the surgery to remove the affected part of the bowel and is closely monitored in the post-operative period for complications.
  2. Patient may experience pain, discomfort, and changes in bowel movements as they recover from the surgery.
  3. Patient is discharged from the hospital and instructed on post-operative care, including wound care, pain management, and dietary restrictions.
  4. Patient follows up with healthcare providers for monitoring and evaluation of their recovery and any potential complications.
  5. Patient may experience long-term effects of the surgery, such as changes in bowel habits, nutritional deficiencies, and increased risk of infections like NTS.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about bowel resection surgery in relation to NTS infection include:

  1. What is the risk of developing an NTS infection after bowel resection surgery?
  2. Are there any specific factors that increase my risk of getting an NTS infection after this surgery?
  3. How can I minimize my risk of developing an NTS infection following bowel resection surgery?
  4. What symptoms should I watch out for that may indicate an NTS infection?
  5. How will my post-operative care plan address the potential risk of NTS infection?
  6. Are there any specific tests or screenings that can be done to monitor for NTS infection following the surgery?
  7. What is the treatment protocol if I were to develop an NTS infection after bowel resection surgery?
  8. Are there any lifestyle changes or precautions I should take to reduce my risk of NTS infection post-surgery?
  9. How will my overall health and any pre-existing conditions impact my risk of NTS infection after bowel resection surgery?
  10. Are there any alternative treatment options or approaches that may lower the risk of NTS infection while still addressing my medical needs?

Reference

Authors: Yang KT, Juang SE, Hung YM, Wei JC, Yip HT, Chang R. Journal: Sci Rep. 2021 Jan 14;11(1):1414. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-81224-5. PMID: 33446836