The Assessment of Early Oral Feeding in Cesarean Patients

Kim, E M; Song, T B; Kim, Y H; Lee, J Y; Pyun, J S

Abstract

This study was performed to assess the gastrointestinal function and patient acceptability of early oral feeding after cesarean delivery. From May 1997 to August 1997, eighty healthy women delivered by cesarean section were assigned alternately to either early initiation of oral feeding or conservative dietary management. In the early feeding group, the first postoperative oral feeding of regular hospital diet was provided within 8 hours after completetion of operation. In the conservative management group, the regular hospital diet was given only if the abdomen was not distended, bowel sounds were auscultated, and flatus had passed. The patient information and data on 1) the duration and amount of intravenous fluid administration, 2) the time of return to regular diet and first gas passage and 3) the rate of gastrointestinal complaints such as nausea, vomiting, or abdominal distension were recorded prospectively. The results were as follows; 1. The duration of intravenous fluid administration in the early feeding group (study group) was significantly shorter than those in the control group, 21.6+/-7.8 versus 32.2+/-9.0 hours (p<0.01). Therefore, the amount of iv fluid in the study group was significantly smaller than those in the control group, 3.4+/-1.3 versus 4.6+/-1.0 L (p<0.01). 2. Compared with the control group, the study group had a rapider return time to regular oral diet, 17.4+/-4.1 versus 37.6+/-11.4 hours (p<0.01). 3. Compared with the control group, the study group had a significantly shorter mean interval to first gas passage, 29.6+/-8.0 versus 33.6+/-8.6 hours (p<0.05). 4. The frequency gastrointestinal complaints such as nausea, vomiting, or abdominal distension did not show significant difference in both groups; 17.5% in the study group versus 15.0% in the control group.