Effect of rhubarb water enema on the recovery of bowel function in patients with acute pancreatitis

Abstract

Objective To study the effect of rhubarb water enema on the early recovery of bowel function in patients with acute pancreatitis. Methods One hundred and eighteen patients with acute pancreatitis in the first affiliated hospital of Shantou university medical college were randomly divided into two groups,the patients in control group received conventional pancreatitis treatment,and the patients in treatment group were added with rhubarb water enema based on the conventional treatment. The duration of abdominal pain and the first defecation time were compared between the two groups,and APACHE Ⅱscore,operation rate,mortality,hospital stay and hospital costs were also compared between the two groups. Results The duration of abdominal pain was（ 4. 0 ± 1. 5 ）d in the treatment group and （6. 0 ± 1. 8 ）d in the control group,the first defecation time was（ 7. 0 ± 2. 1 ）d in the treatment group and（10. 0 ± 2. 6）d in the control group,there were significant differences（P﹤0. 05）;The APACHE Ⅱpoints,operation rate,mortality,hospital stay and hospitalization costs in treatment group were significantly lower than those in the treatment group（ P﹤0. 05 ）. Conclusions Rhubarb water enema can significantly shorten the abdominal pain and initial defecation time caused by bowel dys-function,and it is worthy of clinical application. Key words: Rhubarb water; Acute pancreatitis; Bowel function