The effect of dimethicone on preventing ileus in patients with pelvic and femoral fractures: A clinical trial

Abstract

Ileus and pseudo-obstruction are clinical syndromes that are among the most common postoperative complications. Identifying an effective treatment approach for these conditions is essential. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Dimethicone on preventing ileus in patients with pelvic and femoral fractures.This study was conducted on 120 patients, with 60 individuals in the Dimethicone group and 60 individuals in the control group. After recording demographic information and clinical notes, bowel movements and defecation after surgery were also recorded. The statistical tests of Chi-square, Fisher's exact-test, Mann-Whitney, and independent t-test were utilized to compare the data.The primary outcome of the study determined the incidence of ileus in the intervention and control groups (intervention group = 1.7 % and control group = 3.3 %) (P = 0.99). The secondary outcome involved comparing the time of gas expulsion between the two groups, intervention, and control (intervention group = 21.05 h and control group = 22.03 h) (P = 0.065). Although the time of gas and feces expulsion, as well as the initiation of bowel movements and the occurrence of ileus, were lower in the intervention group, there was no statistically significant difference in the postoperative results, particularly regarding the occurrence of ileus and the reduction in the duration of feces and gas expulsion and the initiation of bowel movements in patients receiving Dimethicone compared to the control group.Considering the lack of statistical significance in the obtained results and the absence of similar studies using Dimethicone, further research and larger sample size studies with Dimethicone or other pharmacological methods are needed to find the most effective treatment approach in reducing the occurrence of ileus after surgery.