Improvement of inflammatory response and gastrointestinal function in perioperative of cholelithiasis by Modified Xiao-Cheng-Qi decoction.

Background: In the perioperative period of biliary surgery, various factors can induce the release of a large number of inflammatory factors, leading to an imbalance in pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses and resulting in gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols in biliary surgery have been shown to reduce the stress response and accelerate postoperative recovery. It is crucial to reduce the inflammatory response and promote the recovery of GI function after biliary surgery, both of which are the basis and key for perioperative care and postoperative recovery.

Aim: To better understand the effects of Modified Xiao-Cheng-Qi decoction (MXD) on inflammatory response and GI function in the perioperative management of cholelithiasis and their correlation.

Methods: This was a prospective randomized placebo-controlled trial, in which 162 patients who received biliary tract surgery were randomly assigned to three groups: MXD group, XD group, and placebo-control group. The observed parameters included frequency of bowel sounds, time of first flatus and defecation, time of diet, and amount of activity after surgery. The serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, serum amyloid A protein (SAA), and substance P were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Then, the spearman correlation coefficient was used to analyze the relationship between the indicators of GI function and inflammation.

Results: Compared to the placebo-control, improvements in GI function were observed in the MXD groups including reduced incidence of nausea, vomiting, and bloating; and earlier first exhaust time, first defecation time, and feeding time after surgery ( < 0.05). On the 1 and 2 d after surgery, IL-6, CRP and SAA levels in MXD group were lower than that in placebo control, but substance P level was higher, compared to the control ( < 0.05). Functional diarrhea occurred in both MXD and XD groups without any other adverse effects, toxic reactions, and allergic reactions. Diarrhea was relieved after the discontinuation of the investigational remedies. Bowel sounds at 12 h after surgery, the occurring time of the first flatus, first defecation, postoperative liquid diet and semi-liquid diet were significantly correlated with levels of IL-6, CRP, SAA and substance P on second day after surgery ( < 0.05).

Conclusion: Treatment with MXD can relieve inflammatory response and improve GI function after surgery. Moreover, there are significant correlations between them. Furthermore, it does not cause serious adverse reactions.