Effect of Dai-kenchu-to on Obstructive Bowel Disease in Children

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, dai-kenchu-to (DKT), on obstructive bowel diseases in children. We have treated 46 pediatric patients with various obstructive bowel diseases with DKT: six patients with postoperative ileus, 12 with large abdominal surgery (including three neonates), one with ano-rectal anomaly, three with Hirschsprung's disease, two with functional bowel obstructions, one with SMA syndrome, and 21 patients with chronic constipation. DKT (0.1-0.15 g/kg) was mixed with 5-10 ml of warm water, and was given orally two to three times a day. DKT was effective for 39 patients (85%) and their clinical symptoms improved. DKT was ineffective in seven patients: two with postoperative ileus, two with Hirschsprung's disease, and three with chronic constipation. DKT had mild but significant effects for various obstructive bowel diseases in children, while no side effects were encountered. Our current strategy for pediatric patients with obstructive bowel disease is to use DKT first and then test its efficacy. If DKT is effective, the regimen is continued. However, in cases where DKT is not effective, we will consider laparotomy or will further investigate the illness.

Effects of Dai-kenchu-to on spontaneous activity in the mouse small intestine

“…Dai-kenchu-to (DKT) is reported to be effective in treating uncomplicated postoperative intestinal obstruction (Ito et al, 2002;Ohya et al, 2003;Endo et al, 2006). It has been considered that DKT improves postoperative ileus by exerting gastroprokinetics effects on gastrointestinal tract.…”

“…DKT is used conventionally for abdominal distention in Japan. It has been shown recently that DKT is useful for treatment of postoperative ileus, postoperative intestinal paralysis, irritable bowel syndrome and pediatric constipation (Ito et al, 2002;Ohya et al, 2003;Endo et al, 2006). DKT seems to improve postoperative quality of life (QOL) of patients after surgery for gastrointestinal disorders, since it makes possible for patients to shorten their duration of hospitalization (Endo et al, 2006).…”

Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Daikenchuto, a Traditional Japanese Medicine (Kampo) in Japanese and US Health Volunteers

“…Since its approval as a prescription drug in 1986 by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, DKT has been widely used by gastroenterologists and surgeons for the treatment of various gastrointestinal disorders, such as postoperative ileus and obstructive bowel disease (Itoh et al, 2002;Ohya et al, 2003;Kono et al, 2009). Consequently, the gastrointestinal effects of DKT have become a vibrant area of clinical and basic research in recent years.…”

The effects of the Kampo medicine (Japanese herbal medicine) “Daikenchuto” on the surgical inflammatory response following laparoscopic colorectal resection

“…This is the first report showing that DKT has anti-inflammatory effects following less invasive surgery. DKT is increasingly being used in the treatment of a variety of gastrointestinal diseases [13,16]. Recent studies have been gradually clarifying the mechanism by which DKT stimulates the intestinal tract.…”