J Korean Soc Coloproctol.  2007 Apr;23(2):71-74. 10.3393/jksc.2007.23.2.71.

The Effect of Dexpanthenol in Postoperative Patients

• Hwang MR
• Kim H
• Cho DH
• Han WK

• KMID: 1510041
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3393/jksc.2007.23.2.71

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of dexpanthenol in postoperative patients. Dexpanthenol, the alcohol derivative of pantothenic acid, is believed to be a precursor of acetylcholine through its incorporation into coenzyme-A.
METHODS
From June 2005 to December 2005, 130 curative abdominal surgery, which were divided into a dexpanthenol group with 65 patients and a control group with 65 patients, were prospectively and randomly studied for recovery of bowel motility.
RESULTS
No significant difference was found between the two groups as to incidence of postoperative ileus (16.9% vs. 15.4%, P=0.081), the time to flatus (77.2+/-38.4 vs. 77.9+/-31.9 hours, P=0.90), the time to defecation (5.3+/-2.7 vs. 5.1+/-2.6 days, P=0.77), the time to resumption of meals (7.9+/-4.0 vs. 8.9+/-4.2 days, P=0.17), and the duration of hospital stay (16.4+/-7.8 vs. 17.9+/-11.5 days, P=0.39). CONSLUSIONS: Since no differences in the postoperative bowel motility were observed between the two groups, dexpanthenol is not recommended for general surgical use.

Keyword

Dexpanthenol; Postoperative ileus

MeSH Terms

Acetylcholine
Defecation
Flatulence
Humans
Ileus
Incidence
Length of Stay
Meals
Pantothenic Acid
Prospective Studies
Acetylcholine
Pantothenic Acid