Improvement of Nutritional Care After Colon Surgery: The Impact of Early Oral Nutrition in the Postanesthesia Care Unit

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of implementing early oral nutritional supplements in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) after colon surgery.DesignA randomized controlled intervention study.MethodsPatients admitted for elective colon surgery were randomly assigned to either a group receiving early oral nutritional supplements (n = 24) or traditional treatment with water or lemonade (n = 22) in the PACU.FindingOn the second postoperative day, patients in the early nutritional supplement group had a higher cumulative intake of energy (P = .019) and protein (P = .015) compared with the traditional treatment. Postoperative nausea and vomiting, pain, length of stay in the PACU, and need of a nasogastric tube did not differ significantly between the groups.ConclusionsThe nutritional course for patients undergoing colon surgery can be improved by implementing early oral nutritional supplements in the PACU.