Abstract
Purpose
Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways has demonstrated improved outcomes in colorectal surgery. An important component of ERAS is early oral intake. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of early oral intake in patients following colorectal surgery.
Methods
A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent colectomy and proctectomy at an academic institution from January 2015 to November 2018 was performed. Postoperative outcomes were compared between patients who had postoperative day 0 (POD 0) oral intake and those who did not.
Results
A total of 436 ERAS patients had oral intake timing documented. The majority of patients were women (241, 55.3%) and white (313, 71.8%). The mean age was 57 ± 15.09. Patients who had early intake were found to have lower 30-day overall morbidity and length of stay (p < 0.05), and no difference in serious adverse events. Additionally, hospital costs were lower in the POD 0 feeding group for all patients (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
We have demonstrated that early oral feeding in an established ERAS pathway is associated with improved clinical outcomes as well as decreased total hospital costs. Early postoperative feeding is safe in colorectal patients and should be prioritized to decrease complications and healthcare costs.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Kehlet H (1997) Multimodal approach to control postoperative pathophysiology and rehabilitation. Br J Anaesth 78(5):606–617
Vlug MS, Bartels SA, Wind J, Ubbink DT, Hollmann MW, Bemelman WA, Collaborative LAFA Study Group (2012) Which fast track elements predict early recovery after colon cancer surgery? Color Dis 14(8):1001–1008
Vlug MS, Wind J, Hollmann MW, Ubbink DT, Cense HA, Engel AF, Gerhards MF, van Wagensveld B, van der Zaag E, van Geloven A, Sprangers MA, Cuesta MA, Bemelman WA, LAFA study group (2011) Laparoscopy in combination with fast track multimodal management is the best perioperative strategy in patients undergoing colonic surgery: a randomized clinical trial (LAFA-study). Ann Surg 254(6):868–875
Nelson G, Kiyang LN, Chuck A, Thanh NX, Gramlich LM (2016) Cost impact analysis of enhanced recovery after surgery program implementation in Alberta colon cancer patients. Curr Oncol 23(3):e221–e227
Walter CJ, Collin J, Dumville JC, Drew PJ, Monson JR (2009) Enhanced recovery in colorectal resections: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Color Dis 11(4):344–353
Adamina M, Kehlet H, Tomlinson GA, Senagore AJ, Delaney CP (2011) Enhanced recovery pathways optimize health outcomes and resource utilization: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in colorectal surgery. Surgery 149(6):830–840
Lei WZ, Zhao GP, Cheng Z, Li K, Zhou ZG (2004) Gastrointestinal decompression after excision and anastomosis of lower digestive tract. World J Gastroenterol 10(13):1998–2001
Feo CV, Romanini B, Sortini D, Ragazzi R, Zamboni P, Pansini GC, Liboni A (2004) Early oral feeding after colorectal resection: a randomized controlled study. ANZ J Surg 74(5):298–301
Petrelli NJ, Stulc JP, Rodriguez-Bigas M, Blumenson L (1993) Nasogastric decompression following elective colorectal surgery: a prospective randomized study. Am Surg 59(10):632–635
Spanjersberg WR, van Sambeeck J, Bremers A, Rosman C, van Laarhoven C (2015) Systematic review and meta-analysis for laparoscopic versus open colon surgery with or without an ERAS programme. Surg Endosc 29(12):3443–3453
Braga M, Pecorelli N, Scatizzi M, Borghi F, Missana G, Radrizzani D, PeriOperative Italian Society (2017) Enhanced recovery program in high-risk patients undergoing colorectal surgery: results from the PeriOperative Italian Society Registry. World J Surg 41(3):860–867
Hampton JP, Owodunni OP, Bettick D, Chen SY, Sateri S, Magnuson T, Gearhart SL (2019) Compliance to an enhanced recovery pathway among patients with a high frailty index after major gastrointestinal surgery results in improved 30-day outcomes. Surgery 166(1):75–81
Bakker N, Cakir H, Doodeman HJ, Houdijk AP (2015) Eight years of experience with enhanced recovery after surgery in patients with colon cancer: impact of measures to improve adherence. Surgery 157(6):1130–1136
Gerber A (1963) An appraisal of paralytic ileus and the necessity for postoperative gastrointestinal suction. Surg Gynecol Obstet 117:294–296
Cheatham ML et al (1995) A meta-analysis of selective versus routine nasogastric decompression after elective laparotomy. Ann Surg 221(5):469–476 discussion 476-8
McAlister FA et al (2005) Incidence of and risk factors for pulmonary complications after nonthoracic surgery. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 171(5):514–517
Golub R, Cirocco WC, Golub R (1994) Current trends in gastric decompression: a survey of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Dis Colon Rectum 37(48)
Reissman P, Teoh TA, Cohen SM, Weiss EG, Nogueras JJ, Wexner SD (1995) Is early oral feeding safe after elective colorectal surgery? A prospective randomized trial. Ann Surg 222(1):73–77
Han-Geurts IJ, Hop WC, Kok NF, Lim A, Brouwer KJ, Jeekel J (2007) Randomized clinical trial of the impact of early enteral feeding on postoperative ileus and recovery. Br J Surg 94(5):555–561
Fujii T, Morita H, Sutoh T, Yajima R, Yamaguchi S, Tsutsumi S, Asao T, Kuwano H (2014) Benefit of oral feeding as early as one day after elective surgery for colorectal cancer: oral feeding on first versus second postoperative day. Int Surg 99(3):211–215
Herbert G et al (2019) Early enteral nutrition within 24 hours of lower gastrointestinal surgery versus later commencement for length of hospital stay and postoperative complications. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 7:CD004080
Stowers MD, Lemanu DP, Hill AG (2015) Health economics in enhanced recovery after surgery programs. Can J Anaesth 62(2):219–230
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflicts of interest and disclosures
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Additional information
Publisher’s note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jochum, S.B., Ritz, E.M., Bhama, A.R. et al. Early feeding in colorectal surgery patients: safe and cost effective. Int J Colorectal Dis 35, 465–469 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-019-03500-1
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-019-03500-1