Gut bacterial translocation via the portal vein: a clinical perspective with major torso trauma.

Animal studies implicate gut bacterial translocation via the portal vein as a major factor in the pathogenesis of postinjury multiple organ failure (MOF). We therefore inserted portal vein catheters for sequential blood sampling in the operating room, at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours, and 5 days postoperatively in 20 injured patients (13 blunt, seven penetrating; mean age, 34 years) requiring emergent laparotomy and who were at known risk for MOF. The mean Revised Trauma Score was 6.4 ± 0.4, and the Injury Severity Score, 29.3 ± 2.3. Twelve (60%) patients arrived in shock (SBP