Postoperative Pain and the Microbiota: Role in Current Anesthesiology

The context of the intestinal microbiota has gained increasing relevance in contemporary medicine, particularly regarding its relationship with anesthetic procedures and the perception of postoperative pain. This study aims to describe the changes in the intestinal microbiota that occur following such procedures and to analyze their potential implications for pain perception. Through a theoretical review article, the most recent scientific literature on the topic is compiled and analyzed, establishing connections between microbiota alterations and postoperative pain experiences. The findings indicate that changes in the intestinal microbiota, such as dysbiosis, are associated with inflammatory processes and altered pain perception, suggesting that a healthy microbiota may play a key role in the modulation of postoperative pain. This research suggests that future clinical strategies should consider optimizing the microbiota as an effective approach to improve recovery and pain management after surgery, opening new opportunities for therapeutic interventions focused on intestinal health within the context of anesthesiology and pain medicine. Objective: To describe changes in the gut microbiota associated with anesthetic–surgical procedures and their possible impact on postoperative pain perception. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature review (2019–2025) in PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, and LILACS using DeCS/MeSH descriptors (“Gut Microbiota,” “Anesthesia,” “Postoperative Pain,” “Dysbiosis,” “Probiotics,” “Surgery”). We prioritized systematic reviews, clinical studies, and relevant guidelines. Inclusion: human studies and articles of physiopathological or methodological interest. Exclusion: reports unrelated to microbiota or postoperative pain.