Early oral feeding after colorectal surgery / 中华普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the safety,feasibility and effectiveness of early oral feeding after colorectal surgery. Methods A randomized controlled trial enrolled 47 patients undergoing elective open colorectal surgery from May 2007 to November 2007. The patients were randomized into group of early oral feeding (experimental group) or group of traditional oral feeding(control group). Postoperative course, gastrointestinal function, and complications were evaluated. Results No statistically significant differences were found in clinical characteristics including age, types of procedures, times of surgery or comorbidity between the two groups. There was no perioperative mortality in the two groups. Stoma1 leak occurred and progressed to abdominal abscess in one case in the control group. Passage of flatus and defecation after operation was earlier in experimental group than in control group(1.9 ± 0. 6 d vs. 2. 8 ± 0. 9 d,P <0. 01). Length of postoperative intravenous infusion was shorter in the experimental group (3. 8 ± 0. 9 d vs. 4. 8 ± 1.2 d,P < 0. 01). Length of postoperative stay was also shorter (9.0 ± 3.2 d vs. 10. 0 ± 3. 3 d, P = 0. 27) and the rate of abdominal distension was lower in experimental group(27% vs. 44%, P = 0. 23). The rate of nausea and vomiting was higher in the experimental group(31% vs. 20% ,P =0. 35), the differences were of no significance. Reinsertion of nasogastric tube due to nausea and vomiting and reoperation was necessary in 2 patients in the experimental group and control group respectively. There were 3 patients complaining fever postoperatively in the control group. Conclusions Early oral feeding after colorectal surgery is safe and feasible, and it can promote postoperative recovery effectively.