title: The beneficial effects of Kampo medicine Dai-ken-chu-to after hepatic resection: a prospective randomized control study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  After hepatic resection, delayed flatus and impaired bowel movement often cause problematic postoperative ileus. Kampo medicine, Dai-kenchu-to (DKT), is reported to have a various beneficial effects on bowel systems. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate effects of DKT after hepatic resection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two patients who underwent hepatic resection between July 2007 and August 2008 in Tokushima University Hospital were prospectively divided into DKT group (n=16) and control group (n=16). In DKT group, 2.5 g of DKT was administered orally three times a day from postoperative day (POD) 1. Blood was examined on POD 1, 3, 5 and 7. Postoperative first flatus, bowel movement and full recovery of oral intake, hospital stays and complications were checked.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In DKT group, levels of c-reactive protein and beta-(1-3)-D-glucan on POD 3 were significantly decreased (p<0.05). Moreover, postoperative periods for the first flatus, bowel movement and the full recovery of oral intake were significantly shortened in DKT group (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DKT suppressed inflammatory reaction, stimulated bowel movement and improved oral intake after hepatic resection, which may decrease serious morbidity after hepatic resection.
authors: Department of Surgery, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan.
authors: Masaki
authors: M
authors: Nishi
authors: Mitsuo
authors: M
authors: Shimada
authors: Hideaki
authors: H
authors: Uchiyama
authors: Toru
authors: T
authors: Ikegami
authors: Yusuke
authors: Y
authors: Arakawa
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Hanaoka
authors: Hirofumi
authors: H
authors: Kanemura
authors: Yuji
authors: Y
authors: Morine
authors: Satoru
authors: S
authors: Imura
authors: Hidenori
authors: H
authors: Miyake
authors: Toru
authors: T
authors: Utsunomiya
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003672:Defecation / Q000187:drug effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D005414:Flatulence / Q000503:physiopathology; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000187:drug effects; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D045823:Ileus / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007564:Japan; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D020835:Medicine, Kampo; D008875:Middle Aged; D005894:Panax; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011509:Proteoglycans; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D032106:Zanthoxylum; D030521:Zingiberaceae; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011509:Proteoglycans; D047071:beta-Glucans; C121414:dai-kenchu-to; C010770:polysaccharide-K; D002097:C-Reactive Protein