ObjectiveTo review the association of gut microbiota and postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction (GID) in patients after abdominal surgery and to provide a new idea for the pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of postoperative GID in patients after abdominal surgery.MethodThe related and latest literatures were reviewed by searching the literatures on “intestinal flora” “gut microbiota” “intestinal microbial population” “brain-gut axis” “gastrointestinal function” “gastric paralysis” “intestinal paralysis” and “ileus” from January 1, 2000 to April 2, 2021 in Chinese and English databases.ResultsGut microbiota diversity was closely related to postoperative GID symptoms in patients after abdominal surgery. Gut microbiota regulated gastrointestinal motility and mucosal barrier function by metabolizing food to produce metabolites such as 5-hydroxytryptamine, melatonin, short-chain fatty acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, and so on.ConclusionsThe imbalance of gut microbiota is closely related to postoperative GID in patients after abdominal surgery. However, the relevant bacterial metabolites that have been found are limited at present, and the relevant mechanism needs to be further investigated.