Interactions Between Perioperative Anesthesia Management and Gut Microbiota: Current Research Advances

The gut microbiota (GM), a complex and diverse microbial community residing in the digestive tract, plays a pivotal role in human health and disease. Recent studies have revealed a strong association between the GM and overall health, with dysbiosis potentially contributing to conditions such as inflammation, infection, and obesity. As medical technology advances, anesthesia has become indispensable in surgical and clinical procedures. Emerging evidence highlights the bidirectional interactions between the GM and anesthesia, which may exert profound effects on human health. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on the mutual influences of perioperative anesthesia and the GM, discusses the potential mechanisms underlying anesthesia-induced dysbiosis, and proposes strategies for preventing and managing microbiota imbalances. Future research should prioritize elucidating the precise mechanisms of anesthetic modulation of the GM and exploring microbiota-targeted interventions with the aim of potentially optimizing postoperative recovery and long-term health.