Effect of lollipop sucking on the recovery of gastrointestinal function in children after congenital choledochal cyst excision: A randomized controlled trial

This study is aimed to evaluate the effect of lollipop sucking on the recovery of gastrointestinal function in children after congenital choledochal cyst excision. 58 children who had undergone congenital choledochal cyst excision were randomly divided into two groups: the controlled group and the experimental group. Children in the experimental group were allowed to suck on strawberry lollipops for 20–30 min once every four hours beginning six hours after the operation. The recovery time of bowel sounds and anal defecation was recorded and compared between experimental and control groups. Compared with the controlled group the recovery times of bowel sounds (41.75 ± 7.38 h vs. 51.43 ± 5.02; p < 0.001) and anal defecation (64.32 ± 14.69 h vs. 79.17 ± 14.91 h; p < 0.001) were significantly shorter in the experimental group. Results of the present study indicate that Sucking of lollipops by children after choledochal cyst excision facilitates the recovery of bowel movement and relieves postoperative abdominal distension.