Comparison of Early Versus Late Oral Feeding After Elective Stoma Closure

Manzoor Ahmed, Mukhtar Mehboob, Fida Ahmed, Khan Mohammad Babar, Mohammad Iqbal, Shoaib Ahmed Qureshi

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the outcome of early versus late oral feeding in elective intestinal anastomosis in terms of postoperative ileus, anastomosis leakage, wound infection and hospital stay.

Study design

Comparative study.

Place & Duration of study

Department of Surgery, Bolan University of Medical and Health Sciences Quetta and Mohtarma Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Hospital Quetta, from January 2017 to December 2018.

Methodology

All patients with temporary stoma were included in this study. Patients with co-morbid conditions were excluded. Patients were divided in two groups. Group E and Group L. After preoperative assessment and informed consent patients were subjected to surgery. Data related to paralytic ileus, anastomotic leak, wound infection and hospital stay were recorded. In Group E oral sips were allowed within 24 hours while in Group L after 72 to 96 hours. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. The Chi-square test used to compare the difference.

Results

A total of 156 patients were enrolled. There were 94 (60.3%) males and 62 (39.7%) females. Male to female ratio was 1.51:1. In group E, 8 (10.25%) patients developed paralytic ileus compared to 27 (34.61%) patients of group L (p <0.001). Postoperative anastomotic leak observed in 2 (2.56%) patients in group E while 7 (8.97%) had leak in group L (p=0.083). Infection developed in overall 36 (22.43%) patients. In group E 8 (10.25%) patients while in group L, 28 (35.89%) developed infection (p < 0.001). Hospital stay was significantly less in study group (P <0.001).

Conclusion

Early oral feeding is safe and has significantly less complications.

Key words

Early feeding, Paralytic ileus, Intestinal anastomosis, Anastomotic dehiscence.