title: Randomized clinical trial comparing postoperative outcomes of early versus late oral feeding after cesarean section.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Oral feeding is likely to have an impact on early return of normal bowel function after uncomplicated surgery including cesarean section. This study compared postoperative outcomes of early versus late oral feeding regimes after cesarean section.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this clinical trial, 140 pregnant women who underwent elective cesarean section with regional anesthesia were randomized into two feeding groups. In the early oral and delayed oral feeding groups, liquid diets were commenced 2 and 8 h after surgery, respectively. Patients able to tolerate the liquid diet were then gradually introduced to the regular diet. Main clinical outcomes included duration of hospital stay, time to return of normal bowel function and postoperative gastrointestinal complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Time to return of bowel movement (7.8 ± 2.9 vs 11.7 ± 5 h, P < 0.0001) and time to mobilization (10.7 ± 7.7 vs 13.5 ± 5.9 h, P = 0.015) occurred significantly earlier in the early feeding group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early oral feeding reduces the time required for return of normal bowel function. This is without significant detrimental effects on the incidence of gastrointestinal complications.
authors.affiliation: Maternity Research Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
authors.forename: Nasrin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jalilian
authors.forename: Mohammad Rasoul
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ghadami
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000765:Anesthesia, Conduction; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005248:Feeding Methods; D005260:Female; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: bowel function; cesarean section; early oral feeding; late oral feeding