The effect of coffee/caffeine on postoperative ileus following elective colorectal surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Purpose Postoperative ileus (POI) is the most common complication of elective colon resection. Coffee or caffeine has been reported to be useful in improving gastrointestinal function after abdominal surgery. This study aimed to investigate the effect of coffee/caffeine on POI in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. Methods We searched Cochrane library, Embase, PubMed, and ClinicalTrials.gov (until July 2021) to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of coffee or caffeine on bowel movements and POI in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. The mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes and risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous outcomes were calculated and are presented with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A random effects model was used in all meta-analyses. Results A total of four RCTs including 312 subjects met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Postoperative coffee or caffeine consumption decreased the time to first bowel movement (MD, − 10.36 h; 95% CI, − 14.61 to − 6.11), shortened the length of hospital stay (MD, − 0.95 days; 95% CI, − 1.57 to − 0.34), and was associated with a decreased risk of the use of any laxatives after the procedure (RR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.92). The time to first flatus, time to tolerance of solid food, risk of any postoperative complication, postoperative reinsertion of a nasogastric (NG) tube, and anastomotic leakage showed no statistical differences between groups. Conclusion Postoperative coffee or caffeine consumption improved bowel movement and decreased the duration of hospital stay in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. This method is safe and can prevent or treat POI.

Effect of Postoperative Coffee Consumption on Postoperative Ileus after Abdominal Surgery: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Previous systematic reviews have not clarified the effect of postoperative coffee consumption on the incidence of postoperative ileus (POI) and the length of hospital stay (LOS). We aimed to assess its effect on these postoperative outcomes. Methods: Studies evaluating postoperative coffee consumption were searched using electronic databases until September 2021 to perform random-effect meta-analysis. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee were also compared. Results: Thirteen trials (1246 patients) and nine ongoing trials were included. Of the 13 trials, 6 were on colorectal surgery, 5 on caesarean section, and 2 on gynecological surgery. Coffee reduced the time to first defecation (mean difference (MD) −10.1 min; 95% confidence interval (CI) = −14.5 to −5.6), POI (risk ratio 0.42; 95% CI = 0.26 to 0.69); and LOS (MD −1.5; 95% CI = −2.7 to −0.3). This trend was similar in colorectal and gynecological surgeries. Coffee had no adverse effects. There was no difference in POI or LOS between caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee (p > 0.05). The certainty of evidence was low to moderate. Conclusion: This review showed that postoperative coffee consumption, regardless of caffeine content, likely reduces POI and LOS after colorectal and gynecological surgery.

Olgular Işığında İleusun Güncel Cerrahi Tedavisi

More than 200 million operations are performed worldwide each year. Most of these patients have comorbid features such as advanced age (1). Postoperative ileus is an annoying condition that usually develops after abdominal surgeries. The incidence of postoperative ileus after colorectal surgery is more common than other surgeries. Incidence rtes vary between 10% and 30% of the incidence of postoperative ileus have been reported (2,3). Various risk factors have been identified for the development of ileus. These risk factors are; It can be summarized as advanced age, open surgical approaches, the difficulty of the operation, operation time intestines, decrease in hematocrit or need for blood transfusion /crystalloid and late mobilization. In most cases, more than one of these risk factors is observed. Ileus pathophysiology; it was defined by Vater et al as impared motility and intestinal wall edema (4). Although some publications argue that mechanical ileus can be treated conservatively within 12 hours by rejecting the rule of thumb (5), what we have experienced in these two cases is that the conservative approach is not sufficient in the treatment of such cases. And perhaps to insistence on conservative treatment may cause irreversible damage to the general condition of the patient. We aimed in this study to examine current surgical treatments in two ileus cases with a complex picture. Keywords: Ileus, abdominal surgery, treatment of ileus

Risk factors and outcomes associated with postoperative ileus following ileostomy formation: a retrospective study

Background Postoperative ileus (POI) is associated with increased patient discomfort, length of stay (LOS), and healthcare cost. There is a paucity of literature examining POI in patients who have an ileostomy formed at the time of surgery. We aimed to identify risk factors for and outcomes associated with POI following ileostomy formation. Methods We included 261 consecutive non-emergent cases that included formation of an ileostomy by a board-certified colorectal surgeon at our institution from July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2020. Demographic, clinical, and intraoperative factors associated with increased odds of POI were evaluated. Post-procedure LOS, hospitalization cost, and re-admissions between patients with and without POI were compared. Results Out of 261 cases, 85 (32.6%) were associated with POI. Patients with POI had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) than those without POI (26.6 kg/m2 vs. 24.8kg/m2; p = 0.01). Intraoperatively, patients with POI had significantly longer procedure duration than those without POI (313 min vs. 279 min; p = 0.02). Patients with POI had a significantly higher net fluid balance at postoperative day (POD) 2 than those without POI (+ 2.65 L vs. + 1.80 L; p = 0.004), with POD2 fluid balance greater than + 807 mL (determined as the maximum Youden index for sensitivity over 80%) associated with a higher rate of POI (p = 0.006). This difference remained significant when adjusted for age, gender, BMI, pre-operative opioid use, procedure duration, and operative approach (p = 0.01). Patients with POI had significantly longer LOS (11.40 days vs. 5.12 days; p < 0.001) and direct cost of hospitalization ($38K vs. $22K; p < 0.001). Conclusions Minimizing fluid overload, particularly in the first 48 h after surgery, may be a strategy to reduce POI in patients undergoing ileostomy formation, and thus decrease postoperative LOS and hospitalization cost. Fluid restriction, diuresis, and changes in diet advancement or early stoma intubation should be considered measures that may improve outcomes and should be studied more intensively.

Prognosis of liver transplantation: Does postoperative ileus matter?

Background Nowadays, liver transplantation has become a main therapy for end-stage liver disease. However, studies show that there are high mortality and severe complications after liver transplantation. Although gastrointestinal dysfunction is a common and major complication after liver transplantation, there was rarely relative research. This study aims to elucidate the factors about ileus after liver transplantation and patients’ survival. Methods We collected and analyzed the data (n = 318, 2016–2019) from the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University. After excluding cases, a total of 293 patients were included for this study. The subjects were divided into a non-ileus group and an ileus group. We reviewed 38 variables (including preoperative, operative and postoperative relative factors). Additionally, other complications after liver transplantation and survival data were compared between two groups. Results Of the 293 patients, 23.2% (n = 68) experienced postoperative ileus. Ileus patients were not different with non-ileus patients in preoperative, operative and postoperative factors. HBV-positive patients with ileus had a lower MELD score (P = 0.025), and lower postoperative total bilirubin was correlated with ileus (P = 0.049). Besides, Child–Pugh score of HCC patients with ileus was low (P = 0.029). The complications after liver transplantation were not different between two groups. Compared with the patients without ileus, the patients with ileus had a higher mortality rate. Conclusion According to our research, ileus-patients had a lower 1-year survival rates. The preoperative MELD score and postoperative total bilirubin of HBV-positive patients with ileus were lower, and Child–Pugh score of HCC patients with ileus was also lower.

Epidural analgesia is associated with earlier gastrointestinal transit after radical cystectomy but does not reduce the incidence of postoperative ileus: A retrospective cohort study

Objective: To compare the effect of combined epidural thoracic analgesia and general anaesthesia (CEGA) in radical cystectomy (RC) with respect to the return of gastrointestinal passage, the incidence of paralytic postoperative ileus (POI) compared to general anaesthesia (GA) only. Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective review using the electronic medical records of 236 patients who underwent RCs between July 2011 and September 2018 at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg. Results: A CEGA was administered to 202 patients, while 34 patients received only GA. The baseline characteristics of patients with and without CEGA showed no significant differences. CEGA will decrease the time required for return of gastrointestinal transit as measured by time to first defecation by about 13 hours. In the first 90 days after surgery, 82 (34.7%) patients had a POI. There was no significant difference between complications in the CEGA and GA groups. Conclusion: A CEGA accelerates the return of the gastrointestinal transit but does not reduce the incidence of postoperative ileus. Level of evidence: 2b

Outcomes of Alvimopan Use in Laparoscopic Intra-abdominal Surgery: A Retrospective Review

Background: Postoperative ileus is a transient cessation of bowel motility, occurring after bowel resection, characterized by abdominal distension and pain, nausea, vomiting, and an accumulation of gas/fluids in the bowel. It is associated with a greater incidence of postoperative morbidity and increased length of stay or readmission. Alvimopan, a novel peripheral mu receptor antagonist, is indicated for preventing postoperative ileus in patients undergoing intra-abdominal surgery or bowel resection. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of alvimopan use in laparoscopic abdominal surgeries. Objective: To assess alvimopan use’s impact in laparoscopic abdominal surgeries. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of 84 patients who underwent laparoscopic procedures that received alvimopan (September 1, 2018 to October 31, 2018) and compared to patients that did not receive alvimopan (May 1, 2018 to June 30, 2018, due to a national shortage of the medication). The primary outcome was the rate of postoperative ileus. Secondary outcomes included rate of 30-day readmission, length of stay (LOS), postoperative opioid and laxative use, time to initiation of oral diet, and return of bowel function (ROBF) as demonstrated by recorded bowel movement. Results: There was no statistical difference observed in primary outcome of postoperative ileus between alvimopan and no alvimopan groups (2.7% vs 4.3%, p=1). Secondary outcomes such as length of stay (5.4 days vs 5.4 days, p=0.49), length of postoperative stay (5 vs 4.9, p=0.44), days to oral diet (0.9 vs 0.4, p=0.16), time to BM (1.8 vs 2.2, p=0.32), and 30-day readmission were also similar between the two groups. Conclusion: The similar outcome profiles in all primary and secondary outcomes do not support the use of alvimopan in the setting of laparoscopic intra-abdominal surgery.