Illustration of nerve pathways and surgical instruments symbolizing the link between surgery and the immune system.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Is Surgery a Trigger?

Elliot Brynn in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research explores the link between surgery and this rare autoimmune disorder, offering insights into potential risks and preventive measures."

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare but serious autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system attacks the nerves. This can lead to muscle weakness, paralysis, and even life-threatening respiratory issues. While infections are a well-known trigger for GBS, the potential role of surgery has been less clear.

Anecdotal evidence and case studies have hinted at a possible link between surgery and the onset of GBS. However, solid epidemiological research to investigate this association has been lacking. Addressing this gap, a team of French researchers conducted a large-scale study using data from the French national health insurance database (Sniiram).

This article dives into the findings of this research, exploring the potential connection between surgery and GBS. We'll break down the study's methodology, key results, and what this means for individuals considering or undergoing surgical procedures.

Unpacking the Study: Surgery and GBS Risk

Illustration of nerve pathways and surgical instruments symbolizing the link between surgery and the immune system.

The study, led by researchers from the Caisse nationale de l'assurance maladie des travailleurs salariés (Cnamts) and other French institutions, analyzed data from 2009 to 2014. They focused on identifying patients who developed GBS and whether they had undergone surgery in the period leading up to their diagnosis. The researchers employed a 'case-crossover' design, comparing the occurrence of surgery in a defined 'risk period' before GBS onset with a 'control period' further in the past.

Here's a breakdown of the study's approach:

Identifying GBS Cases: The researchers used hospital discharge data (PMSI) to identify new (incident) cases of GBS, based on specific diagnostic codes.
Defining the 'Risk' and 'Control' Periods: The 'risk period' was defined as the 60 days before the first hospitalization for GBS. The 'control period' was a window of time further back, between 366 and 425 days prior to the GBS diagnosis.
Identifying Surgical Procedures: Surgical procedures were identified using surgical codes within the hospital data. These were then categorized by type of surgery.
Accounting for Infections: Recognizing that infections are a common GBS trigger, the researchers also looked at the presence of infection codes during the same hospital stay as the surgery.
Statistical Analysis: The researchers adjusted for pre-existing gastro-intestinal and respiratory infections to isolate the effect of surgery.

The analysis included data from 8,364 GBS cases. The results showed that individuals who had undergone surgery were more likely to develop GBS compared to the control period. Specifically, 257 patients had surgery during the risk period, while 175 had surgery during the control period. After adjusting for gastro-intestinal and respiratory infections, the association between surgery and GBS remained statistically significant (OR = 1.54 [1.26–1.80]). The researchers noted that the association was strongest for surgeries involving bones or the digestive system.

What Does This Mean for Surgical Patients?

The study suggests a possible link between surgery and an increased risk of GBS, although the risk appears to be moderate. While the study couldn't completely rule out the role of infections, the association remained even after accounting for them.

For individuals considering surgery, it's essential to have an open conversation with their doctor about potential risks and benefits. This is especially important for individuals with a history of autoimmune disorders or those who are concerned about GBS.

More research is needed to fully understand the relationship between surgery and GBS. However, this study provides valuable insights and highlights the importance of considering potential triggers for this rare but serious condition. Future studies could explore the specific types of surgical procedures that carry the highest risk and investigate potential preventive measures.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.respe.2018.01.035, Alternate LINK

Title: Risque De Syndrome De Guillain-Barré Après Une Chirurgie : Une Étude De Type « Case-Crossover » À Partir Des Données Du Sniiram (2009–2014)

Subject: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Journal: Revue d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: A. Dupont, A. Weill, Y. Mikaeloff, F. Bolgert, J. Coste, J. Rudant

Published: 2018-03-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), and what are its potential consequences?

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the nerves. This can result in muscle weakness, paralysis, and potentially life-threatening respiratory problems. Infections have been identified as a common trigger of GBS, surgery has been suspected, and research is ongoing to fully understand the factors that contribute to the development of GBS.

How did the French researchers investigate the potential link between surgery and the development of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)?

The French study, using data from the French national health insurance database (Sniiram), identified patients who developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and examined if they had undergone a surgical procedure in the 60 days prior to their diagnosis. By comparing the occurrence of surgery during this 'risk period' with a 'control period' further in the past, researchers were able to assess the potential association between surgery and the onset of GBS.

What were the key findings of the study regarding the relationship between surgery and the risk of developing Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)?

The study revealed a statistically significant association between surgery and an increased risk of developing Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). The odds ratio (OR) was calculated to be 1.54 [1.26–1.80], indicating that individuals who underwent surgery were more likely to develop GBS compared to those in the control period. The association was found to be more pronounced in surgeries involving bones or the digestive system, suggesting that the type of surgery might influence the risk.

If I'm considering surgery, what does this research mean for my potential risk of developing Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)?

While the study suggests a possible link between surgery and an increased risk of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), it is important to note that the risk appears to be moderate. The researchers accounted for infections, a known trigger for GBS, in their analysis. Further investigation is needed to fully understand the relationship and the underlying mechanisms. It is important to consult with healthcare professionals to assess individual risk factors and make informed decisions about surgical procedures.

How did the researchers account for the role of infections, a known trigger for Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), in their analysis of the surgery-GBS link?

The study's methodology accounted for gastro-intestinal and respiratory infections. The researchers adjusted for these pre-existing conditions to isolate the effect of surgery. This shows the researchers recognized the complexities of GBS triggers and attempted to minimize the influence of confounding factors in their analysis of the relationship between surgery and the development of Guillain-Barré Syndrome.