Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline Balls) for the Treatment of Constipation

Abstract

Constipation is a common symptom at end of life, impacting patient outcomes and healthcare costs. Hospice and palliative care professionals often use practices based on anecdotal evidence. One such intervention is an oral preparation of petroleum jelly (OPJ), referred to as "Vaseline balls." This survey was designed to collect information regarding healthcare practitioners' knowledge and attitudes toward the use of OPJ for the management of constipation in hospice and palliative care. An online survey was distributed to physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, and pharmacists who work with hospice and palliative care patients. A total of 67% (n=237/353) of responders reported being familiar with the use of OPJ. Results indicate there is a need for further clinical research on the use of OPJ to guide practice.

Assessment and management of constipation for patients receiving palliative care in specialist palliative care settings: A systematic review of the literature

“…Bowel habits and their associated factors were also considered by Cheng and colleagues (26). Four studies focused on constipation treatments including docusate (20), Methylnaltrexone (19,21), and Oral preparation of Petroleum Jelly (OPJ) (29). Another study examined the relationship between laxatives and bowel movement frequency (22).…”

“…Three studies focused on specific medication including docusate (20), methylnaltrexone for opioid induced constipation (19), and Oral Preparation of Petroleum Jelly (OPJ) (29). A further study examined the relationship between laxatives and bowel movement frequency (22), and Cheng et al (26) aimed to evaluate laxative use in advanced cancer patients within a SPC unit.…”

“…Four of the studies were conducted in Canada (20,23,27,28), four in the USA (19,21,24,29), and one study was conducted in each of Australia (22), China (26), Norway (31), Taiwan (25), and the UK (30). Specialist palliative care (SPC) units within medical centres (26), hospitals (23,27,28), and teaching hospitals (22,25) were the most common locations of research.…”

“…Specialist palliative care (SPC) units within medical centres (26), hospitals (23,27,28), and teaching hospitals (22,25) were the most common locations of research. A SPC unit was referred to in three studies (19,27,30), and a mixture of various hospice care settings were referred to in three further studies (24,29,31).…”

“…The designs of the included studies were three randomised trials (19)(20)(21), four observational designs (22)(23)(24)(25), and six descriptive designs (26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31). Drawing on the Joanna Briggs Institutes' Levels of evidence for effectiveness, two articles were ranked at level one, six at level three, and five at level four, showing a broad range of evidence within the review.…”