Abstract:Objective:To study the dynamics of plasma endotoxin(PE) levels in the perioperative period of patients with malignant obstructive jaundice, and the significance of hydrogen breath test (HBT) in judging of small intestinal bacterial translocation.
Methods :Thirty-eight patients with malignant obstructive jaundice who were suitable for operation, were defined as treatment group (group A, n=38) and 30 healthy individuals were defined as control group (group B, n=30). The changes of PE levels and the results of HBT during the perioperartive period were observed in group A, and compared with group B.
Results:On admission to hospital, the PE level in group A ［(0.69±0.22) EU/mL］ and group B ［（0.17±0.05) EU/mL］ was significant difference （P＜0.01）. During the 1 d preoperative period, the PE levels decreased a little（P＞0.05）, but it decreased significantly after operation（all P＜0.05）. The positive rates of HBT in group A at admission, 1 d preoperative and 3 d, 7 d and 14 d after operation, was 86.8％, 73.7％, 39.5 %, 21.1 % and 7.9 %; and it was 6.7 % in group B. The difference was significant between group A before operation and group B; and in group A, comparing postoperative 3 d and 7 d values with preoperative 1 d value, the differences were significant (P＜0.05).
Conclusions:The patients with malignant jaundice have small intestinal bacterial translocation and have endotoxemia to some extent. HBT is a valid index for judging bacterial translocation in the perioperative period of patients with malignant obstructive jaundice.