| Effect of early oral intake on postoperative bowel function in patients undergoing lower extremities surgery under epidural anesthesia. |
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Cheol Lee, Hwa Sung Lee, Yoon Kang Song, Seri O, Seung Jae Byun, Dong Baek Kang, Ji Hyo Hwang, Byoung Ryun Kim, Seo Young Moon, Dong Youp Han |
1Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, College of Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Korea. ironyii@wonkwang.ac.kr
2Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Daejeon Dental Hospital, Wonkwang University, Daejeon, Korea.
3Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Korea.
4Department of Surgery, Wonkwang-Gusan Medical Center, Wonkwang University, Gunsan, Korea.
5Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
6Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Korea.
7Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, College of Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Korea.
8Department of Urology, Wonkwang-Gusan Medical Center, Wonkwang University, Gunsan, Korea. |
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| Abstract |
BACKGROUND
Early oral intake (EOI) associated with early recovery of normal bowel function has been shown to be an important determinant for improving patients' satisfaction.
We investigated the tolerability of EOI and its effects on the recovery of bowel function after epidural anesthesia.
METHODS
A prospective randomized trial of patients undergoing lower extremities surgery under epidural anesthesia was performed. A liquid drink was given to 150 patients in the EOI group 1 hours after surgery, and to 150 patients in the delayed oral intake (DOI) group 8 hours after surgery. We recorded presence of bowel sounds immediately after operation, symptoms of ileus, time to the first flatus, time to the first defecation, degree of appetite before the first meal, and patients' satisfaction.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the presence of immediate postoperative bowel sounds, the degree of appetite before the first meal, mild ileus, and severe ileus between groups. Time to the first flatus and time to the first defecation in the EOI group were shorter than those of the DOI group. The patients' satisfaction in the EOI group was higher than that of the DOI group.
CONCLUSIONS
For uncomplicated patients undergoing lower extremities under epidural anesthesia, beginning oral hydration as early as 1 hour after the operation is safe and well tolerated and resulting in faster recovery of bowel function and higher patients' satisfaction. |
| Key Words:
early oral intake; postoperative bowel function |
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