Comparing early oral feeding with traditional oral feeding in upper gastrointestinal surgery

A systematic review of feeding practices among postoperative patients: is practice in‐line with evidenced‐based guidelines?

“…The present study aimed to investigate postoperative feeding practices among hospitalised patients. Although early oral feeding is a strategy that can contribute to improved recovery and reduced complications after surgery ( 1,5,6,(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18) , it does not appear to be commonly applied in clinical practice. Of the 29 studies meeting the inclusion criteria, only 40% and 22% reported time to first feed and time to first solid feed in-line with evidenced-based recommendations, respectively.…”

“…Early oral feeding has been associated with a faster recovery of intestinal function (i.e. resolution of ileus) (5,6,9,10,19,20) , reduced morbidity (e.g. less infectious complications and improved wound healing and immunity) (5,(11)(12)(13)15,21,22) and improved quality of life (e.g.…”

Early Oral Feeding Post-Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Resection and Primary Anastomosis in Oncology

“…The current practice related to the early onset of oral nutrition in the postoperative period was well established for several abdominal surgical procedures. Some randomized controlled trials and meta-analyzes have shown that the early initiation of oral feeding is feasible and safe after upper gastrointestinal surgeries, and suggest that this practice may reduce infection related to potential complications and length of hospital stay compared with the traditional approach “nothing by the mouth” 3 , 6 - 9 , 15 .…”

The comparative study of the outcomes of early and late oral feeding in intestinal anastomosis surgeries in children

“…[11] Another similar study in Zanjan (Iran) showed that in upper gastrointestinal surgery, the early feeding was safe and economical. [12] Our study is unique because it involves children in wide age range and includes both elective and emergent surgeries on small and large bowel. Although, safety and efficacy of the early feeding method is shown in this study, but the limitations should be considered and it is better that this method considered for patients who are stable and had not sever post-operative abdominal distention and vomiting and when the intestinal anastomosis is satisfactory from the technical view, that it will be judged by the surgeon.…”

“…[2] Many factors can affect anastomosis site healing or leakage, for example intraoperative contamination, circulation of intestinal ends, anemia, surgical technic, kind of surgery (elective or emergency), tension in suture line, etc. [12] There is the traditional belief that the early feeding of patients who underwent intestinal resection and anastomosis can be dangerous and induces stress on anastomosis site and makes it prone to leakage, and most surgeons prefer to remaining their patients not permit oral (NPO) for 4-5 days postoperation. but this is not proven yet, even without any feeding, about 2 L of gastrointestinal and pancreatic secretions enter the small bowel daily and transit from anastomosis site, thus feeding has not an important additional adverse effect on anastomosis site resting and even intestinal feeding has many positive effect on wound healing and reduction of sepsis.…”