Comparison of Immediate and Early oral feeding regimens following Uncomplicated Caesarean Sections in Ile-Ife, Nigeria: A Randomised Controlled Trial
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30442/Keywords:
Caesarean birth, Complicated Caesarean section, Ileus, Paralytic ileus, Post-CS oral feeding, Regional anaesthesiaAbstract
Background: Current evidence has dispelled the traditional practice of withholding oral feeding until return of bowel function following uncomplicated caesarean section (CS). Early initiation of oral feeding post-CS has been demonstrated to be safe and beneficial for postoperative gastrointestinal function and patient recovery.
Objective: To evaluate the safety and benefits of immediate oral feeding (IOF) compared with early oral feeding (EOF) after uncomplicated CS.
Methods: One hundred and sixty-two consenting women undergoing uncomplicated CS under regional anaesthesia were randomised equally into the IOF and EOF groups. Oral feeding was commenced in the IOF and EOF groups 2 hours and 6 hours post-CS, respectively.
Results: There were no statistically significant differences in time intervals to return of bowel sounds (120.0 vs. 240.0 min, P=0.056), passage of flatus (900.0 vs. 1,120.5 min, P=0.131), passage of stool (1,920.0 vs. 2,139.5 min, P=0.234), ambulation (608.5 vs. 892.5 min, P=0.379) and eligibility for discharge (1,648.7 ± 614.9 vs. 1,709.7 ± 541.5 min, P=0.509) between the IOF and EOF groups. Women in the IOF group established breastfeeding (300.0 vs 1,278.0 min, P=0.020) and commenced regular diet (604.4 ± 29.7 vs 840.0 ± 0 min, P<0.001) significantly earlier than women in the EOF group. There were no statistically significant differences in the occurrence of ileus and severe/paralytic ileus (P=1.000 each) and postoperative fever (P=0.620) between the two groups.
Conclusion: Oral feeding can be safely started 2 hours after an uncomplicated CS, offering advantages such as earlier breastfeeding initiation and earlier start of a regular diet compared to EOF
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