Korean J Gastroenterol.  2011 Dec;58(6):318-322. 10.4166/kjg.2011.58.6.318.

The Safety of Early Enteral Feeding after Emergency Gastrointestinal Surgery

• Lee HS
• Shim HJ
• Lee HS
• Lee JG
• Kim KS

• KMID: 1043330
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4166/kjg.2011.58.6.318

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Postoperative early feeding has many advantages, and current guidelines recommend the early diet or enteral feeding after gastrointestinal surgery. However, there are controversies in emergency situation. The aim of this study was to assess the safety of early enteral feeding in patients underwent emergency gastrointestinal (GI) surgery.
METHODS
We reviewed the patients underwent emergency GI surgery by single surgeon from March 2008 to December 2010, retrospectively. The early feeding was defined when feeding was started within 72 hours after operation.
RESULTS
Fifty-three patients were enrolled. Men were 31, with mean 60.6 (+/-18.5) years old age. Thirty-three patients were treated in the intensive-care unit after operation. The most common cause of operation was bowel perforation, and followed by intestinal obstruction. Segmental resection with primary anastomosis of small bowel is the most common operation. Thirty-two of them started the diet within 48 hours postoperatively. Twenty-nine patients had post-operative complications. Wound complications were the most common, and followed by the abdominal pain, and ileus. Wound complications were developed in 18 patients, and the post-feeding abdominal pain was in 7 patients. Anastomotic leakage and intraabdominal abscess were developed in 2 patients, and 1 patient required reoperation to treat the anastomotic disruption. One patient developed pneumonia and sepsis, and resolved under conservative treatment. There was no mortality in these patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Early enteral feeding may be safe in cases of emergency GI surgery. However, it may require further studies to confirm the safety and feasibility of the early feeding in emergency situations.

Keyword

Emergency treatment; Gastrointestinal tract; Surgical procedures, Operative; Enteral nutrition

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain/etiology
Adult
Aged
*Digestive System Surgical Procedures
Enteral Nutrition/*adverse effects
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Postoperative Care
Postoperative Complications
Postoperative Period
Prospective Studies
Sepsis/etiology

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Starting days (A) and routes of feeding (B).

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  Fig. 2. Complications of early feeding after emergency gastrointestinal surgery.

Reference

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