‘The term ‘bacterial translocation’ is used to describe the passage of viable resident bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract to normally sterile tissues such as the mesenteric lymph nodes and other internal organs.⁷ The term also applies to the passage of inert particles and other macromolecules, such as lipopolysaccharide endotoxin, across the intestinal mucosal barrier.’

‘Bacterial translocation has been shown to occur in various patient populations.⁶ As already stated, it occurs in patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery, organ donors and those with intestinal obstruction, colorectal cancer, ischaemia–reperfusion injury shock and pancreatitis. Many authors suggest an increased prevalence in patients with obstructive jaundice, those receiving parenteral nutrition and the malnourished, but the evidence for this is limited. Interestingly, translocation, assessed by endotoxin or bacterial culture of portal or systemic blood, has only rarely been demonstrated after trauma’