Early oral feeding after gastrointestinal anastomosis

Abstract

To allow healing of the anastomotic site, nil-by-mouth is widely practiced for several days after resection and anastomosis of gastrointestinal. This study determines the feasibility and safety of early oral feeding following gastrointestinal resections and anastomoses. This prospective study included consecutive patients who underwent gastrointestinal resection from June 2016 to June 2021. These patients divided into two groups, according to their postoperative feeding protocol. The early oral feeding group received oral diet on the first postoperative day, while the late oral feeding group were started on oral feeding after the passage of flatus. No significant differences were found in tolerance to oral feeding (p = 0.230) and the postoperative complications (p = 0.253) between the two groups. Compared with the late oral feeding group, time to first flatus, bowel movement and length of postoperative hospital stay were significantly shorter in the early oral feeding group (for all p = 0.002). Early oral feeding after gastrointestinal anastomosis is feasible and safe.