Inulin Fiber Before Bowel Surgery in People With Colorectal Disease
Tests inulin fiber supplement before colon surgery in adults to study feasibility.
Key facts
- Who runs it
- Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)
- Where
- Montreal, CanadaSee the site
- Trial code
- Registry title
- The Effect of Inulin Supplementation on Colorectal Surgery Outcomes
- Status
- Not yet recruiting
- People taking part
- 40 people, planned
- Started
- 1 Aug 2023
- Expected to end
- 1 Aug 2028
- Type of study
- Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets a placebo (a dummy treatment), for comparison.
- Treatments tested
- Inulin
- Placebo
- Record updated
- 16 May 2023
Who can take part
AI summary
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for adults with colorectal cancer who are planning elective bowel surgery. It tests whether inulin, a plant fibre supplement, can help the bowel heal.
- Age
- 18 years or older
- Sex
- All sexes can join
- Disease stage
- Colorectal cancer, coming for planned (elective) colorectal surgery
- Earlier treatment
- No antibiotics in the 4 weeks before surgery (usual antibiotics given to prevent infection are allowed). No intestinal surgery in the 4 weeks before the colon surgery.
Main reasons for not taking part
- Emergency surgery for a hole (perforation) or blockage (obstruction) in the bowel
- Antibiotic use within 4 weeks before surgery (other than usual preventive antibiotics)
- An ileostomy or colostomy before the operation
- Intestinal surgery within 4 weeks before the colon surgery
- Active asthma or familial adenomatous polyposis
The registry criteria, word for word
Show all 7 criteriaShow less
Who can take part
- Patients with a colorectal cancer and who present for elective colorectal surgery
Who cannot take part
- Use of antibiotics within 4 weeks prior to surgery (other than usual antibiotic prophylaxis)
- Intestinal surgery within 4 weeks prior to colonic surgery
- Emergency surgery for perforation/obstruction
- Presence of preoperative ileostomy or colostomy
- Active asthma
- Presence of familial adenomatous polyposis
Where in Canada
- Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal (CHUM)Montreal, CanadaContact: Carole Richard, MDNo longer taking part
About the trial
What the trial wants to find out
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most diagnosed cancer in Canada. The most common surgical procedure in patients with CRC is an intestinal resection followed by a reconnection to rejoin the ends of the remaining bowel. Among the postoperative complications, leaking of this intestinal connection is notably feared, affecting up to 20% of patients. These leaks are characterized by impaired intestinal healing and are associated with severe infections and even death.
Read full original descriptionShow less
Various studies have shown that gut microbiota, the bacteria that live in the digestive tract, plays an essential role in intestinal healing following surgery. These results support the possibility of enhancing intestinal healing through supplements that act as an energy source for gut bacteria. Indeed, animal studies have shown that inulin supplementation, a fiber commonly found in plants, improves intestinal healing following bowel surgery. However, no studies in humans have evaluated its effects on CRC surgery patients.
This study aims to determine feasibility of a randomized controlled trial that assesses the effects of inulin supplementation before elective colorectal surgery.
The 2 groups in the trial
- Inulin groupTreatment being tested
Patients randomized to the intervention group will receive inulin supplementation for 14 days, preceding the surgery. Inulin will be given at a dosage of 10g/day divided in two doses.
Treatment: Inulin
- Control groupPlacebo, for comparison
Patients randomized to the control group will receive a placebo for 14 days, two times a day.
Treatment: Placebo
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorData and sources
- Registry record
- Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
- Official title
- The Effect of Inulin Supplementation on Colonic Healing and Surgical Outcomes Following Colorectal Surgery
- Plain-language title
- Inulin Fiber Before Bowel Surgery in People With Colorectal DiseaseGenerated from the registry record. The registry title is the official one.
- AI summary
- From the trial's eligibility criteria. Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
- Record updated
- 16 May 2023