EARLY VERSUS DELAYED ORAL INTAKE IN PATIENTS AFTER CESAREAN SECTION UNDER REGIONAL ANESTHESIA: Early Versus Delayed Oral Intake

Laiqa Hassan; Shazia Tufail; Farheen Aslam; Nilofar Mustafa; Arub Ahmed; Saima Qamar

doi:10.51253/pafmj.v71i5.3499

Authors

Laiqa Hassan Combined Military Hospital Lahore Medical College, Lahore/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Shazia Tufail Combined Military Hospital Lahore Medical College, Lahore/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Farheen Aslam District Head Quarter Hospital, Vehari Pakistan
Nilofar Mustafa Combined Military Hospital Lahore Medical College, Lahore/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Arub Ahmed Combined Military Hospital Lahore Medical College, Lahore/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Saima Qamar Combined Military Hospital Lahore Medical College, Lahore/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v71i5.3499

Keywords:

Cesarean section, Early oral intake, Gastrointestinal motility, Postoperative complications

Abstract

Objective: To compare the outcome in early versus delayed oral intake in patients after cesarean section under regional anesthesia.

Study Design: Quasi-experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Combined Military Hospital Lahore, from Dec 2017 to May 2018.

Methodology: A total of 352 women undergoing elective cesarean section under regional anesthesia, nil by mouth for at least 8 hours before surgery were divided in 2 groups. In group 1, patients were given sips of clear oral fluid (water) <5 hours after cesarean section and in group 2, patients received sips of water 8 hours following surgery. Bowel motility was assessed after surgery on hourly basis. Data about time interval to first bowel movement and ileus were noted.

Results: Mean age of patients was 32.329 ± 3.44 years and 33.051 ± 3.64 years in group 1 and 2 respectively. Mean gestational age and body mass index was 38.50 ± 0.93 weeks and 29.824 ± 4.97 kg/m2 in group-1 versus 37.937 ± 0.98 weeks and 27.779 ± 2.81 kg/m2 in group 2. Mean duration of surgery was 47.096 ± 6.65 minutes in group-1 and 47.647 ± 8.76 minutes in group 2. Ileus was seen in 17% patients in group-1 and 34.1% in group-2 (p<0.001). Mean time interval for first bowel movement was 8.323 ± 1.20 hours in group-1 and 13.034 ± 2.54 hours in group 2 (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Early feeding after an uncomplicated cesarean section has reduced rate of ileus symptoms and mean time interval for bowel......