Complications: the probiotic group had lower rates of major complications (28.6% vs. 48.8%, p=0.010), pneumonia (2.4% vs. 11.3%), SSIs (7.1% vs. 20%), and anastomotic leakage (1.2% vs. 8.8%). Recovery: shorter time to bowel movement (p<0.0001) and hospital discharge (8 vs. 10 days). Immune modulation: probiotics correlated with SOCS3-mediated regulation of TNF and IL-6 (p=0.004). Here, IL6 is linked to pneumonia.