Early enteral feeding in intestinal anastomosis.

Background: Routine practice after major GI surgery has been to keep patient nil per oral till the return of bowel sound with a belief that this will prevent post operative nausea and vomiting and protect the anastomotic site where as the trend has been changing to encourage enteral feeding as soon as possible as various studies has shown early enteral feeding to be beneficial in terms of nutritional, immunological aspect and for faster recovery of patient.
Methods: Patients undergoing major elective GI surgery in department of Surgery, Kathmandu Medical college Teaching Hospital who were given early enteral feeding (within 24 hrs of operation) were studied prospectively and were compared retrospectively with historical control who underwent similar procedure.
Results: Early enteral feeding in patient undergoing major G.I surgery showed early return of bowel movement, decreased ICU and hospital stay with a significant reduction in postoperative cost.
Conclusions: Early enteral feeding promotes faster recovery while reducing hospital stay and treatment cost in patient undergoing major GI surgery.