title: Postoperative feeding: a clinical review.
abstract: The tradition of withholding postoperative enteral feeds until the spontaneous resolution of ileus, demonstrated by the return of flatus or bowel movement is not supported by the literature. There is an abundance of evidence from the basic science and general surgery literature that supports early feeding after surgery. This is a review of the available literature on postoperative feeding, including data from gastrointestinal physiology. We conclude that early feeding is safe and well tolerated after most obstetric and gynecologic procedures and will lead to decreased cost, shorter hospitalization, and improved patient satisfaction.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  After completion of this article, the reader will be able to summarize the current literature regarding early postoperative feeding; to identify which patients can be offered early postoperative feeding, as well as list the risks and benefits of early postoperative feeding; and to explain the normal gastrointestinal physiology after abdominal surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Florida, Tampa, USA.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Johnson Casto
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Krammer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Drake
mesh_terms: D004435:Eating; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative