Immediate postoperative enteral feeding decreases weight loss and improves wound healing after abdominal surgery in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of immediate vs. delayed (72 hrs) postoperative enteral feeding on weight loss and wound healing after experimental abdominal surgery.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, controlled study.


METHODS
Laboratory of a large university-affiliated medical school.


METHODS
Seventeen male Sprague-Dawley rats, each weighing 350 to 400 g.


METHODS
Four-centimeter longitudinal midabdominal incisions were made and gastroduodenal feeding tubes were inserted in the animals. The abdominal wound was closed in two layers. Immediately after closure, animals were randomized to receive immediate enteral feeding (early-fed group) with a peptide-based enteral formula or 5% dextrose in water at 4 mL/hr. Seventy-two hours after surgery, the 5% dextrose in water group was switched to the peptide formula (late-fed group). Animals were weighed daily. On postoperative day 5, the strength of the abdominal wound was determined using a balloon-bursting pressure technique. Blood was also obtained for measurement of insulin growth factor 1 concentrations. Mucosal protein content of the small bowel was measured.


RESULTS
Total body weight loss was less in the early-fed group (26 +/- 4 vs. 46 +/- 5 g/5 days) and wound strength was increased in the early-fed group compared with the late-fed group (6 +/- 0.4 vs. 2.9 +/- 0.8 kPa; 45 +/- 3 vs. 22 +/- 6 mm Hg). There were no differences between groups for circulating insulin growth factor 1 concentrations or small intestinal mucosal protein concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
Immediate postoperative enteral feeding results in decreased weight loss and improved wound healing after abdominal surgery in rats.
Zaloga
G P
GP
Department of Anesthesia, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.
Bortenschlager
L
L
Black
K W
KW
Prielipp
R
R
D000818:Animals; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000592:standards*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005526:Food, Formulated / Q000032:analysis; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000737:chemistry; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry; D007813:Laparotomy; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000592:standards*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013718:Tensile Strength; D013997:Time Factors; D015431:Weight Loss; D014945:Wound Healing
D011506:Proteins; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I