Early oral feeding promotes gastrointestinal function recovery for patients after gynecological laparoscopic surgery

Abstract

Objective To observe the gastrointestinal function recovery in the patients with different feeding time after gynecological laparoscopic surgery. Methods A total of 132 patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery in our department from December 2020 to April 2021 were enrolled in this study. Five of them were excluded and 127 cases were finally enrolled, including 64 cases in the experimental group (taking food immediately after returning to the ward after surgery) and 63 cases in the control group (taking food 6 h after returning). The recovery of gastrointestinal function, the incidences of abdominal distention, nausea and vomiting, and the average length of postoperative hospital stay were recorded and compared between the 2 groups. Results The experimental group had significantly shorter time of first postoperative bowl sound (7.44±3.99 vs 10.48±4.62), first exhaust (11.50±6.75 vs 16.30±7.44 h), and first defecation (21.38±9.22 vs 28.68±12.99 h), and shorter average length of postoperative hospital stay (4.28±1.55 vs 5.59±4.07 d) when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The incidences of abdominal distention, nausea and vomiting in postoperative patients were obviously lower in the experimental group than the control group (25.0% vs 46.0%, 14.1% vs 34.9%, P < 0.05). Early oral feeding after laparoscopic operation improved the recovery of intestinal function and shorten the postoperative hospital stay. Conclusion Postoperative early food-taking program is safe for patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery. It is beneficial to improve the recovery of gastrointestinal function, reduce the incidence of postoperative abdominal distention, nausea and vomiting, and promote early discharge of patients from hospital.

Keywords

• laparoscopic surgery
• early oral feeding
• gynaecology
• gastrointestinal function
• fast recovery