Early oral feeding following duodenal resection and anastomosis: stressor or succour – a dog model

Abstract

The effects of early oral feeding (EOF) on vital parameters and some stress markers after intestinal surgery was the focus of this study. Sixteen (16) Nigerian indigenous dogs were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n=4) which underwent duodenal resection and end-to-end anastomosis. Post operatively, group I animals were maintained on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for 3 days while groups II-IV animals had parenteral nutrition with oral feeding instituted at 8, 12 and 24 hours respectively. The animals were monitored for side effects of TPN and EOF and post-operative complications. Vital parameters and some stress markers like the glucose and cortisol levels were monitored. The Mean heart and pulse rates of group I (TPN) animals were significantly (P <0.05) higher than those of the EOF groups. The EOF groups had higher body weight post-operatively. On post-surgery day (PSD) 1, the mean glucose level of group I animals was significantly lower than those of group IV, while the mean cortisol values in all the groups showed a similar increase post-operatively which declined gradually after PSD 1. Therefore, EOF given 8, 12 or 24 hours after intestinal surgery is feasible, safe and more convenient, and improves nutritional status of dogs.