Early Oral Feeding Following Intestinal Surgery is it Safe?

Abstract

Background: A period of starvation (“nil by mouth”) is common practice after gastrointestinal surgery during which an intestinal anastomosis has been formed. The stomach is decompressed with a nasogastric tube and intravenous fluids are given, with oral feeding being introduced as gastric dysmotility resolves. The rationale of nil by mouth is to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting and to protect the anastomosis, allowing it a time to heal before being stressed by food Objectives: To assess the safety, tolerability, and outcome of early oral feeding after intestinal procedures. Patients and Method: This is a prospective study of 60 patients underwent intestinal surgery over a period of one year and 9 months (January 2009-september 2010) in Baquba Teaching Hospital, reviewed for the safety, tolerability and outcome of early oral feeding following intestinal surgery. Both of emergency and elective surgeries are included in the study. Results: Early oral intake can be tolerated by most of the patients with intestinal surgeries. Conclusion: Early oral feeding is a safe practice and is devoid of complications as repeated vomiting or fecal fistula.