The impact of early enteral nutrition on pediatric patients undergoing gastrointestinal anastomosis a propensity score matching analysis

The Safety and Efficacy of Early Enteral Nutrition After Paediatric Enterostomy Closure - The EPOC Study

INTRODUCTION

Keeping children nil by mouth until return of bowel function after intestinal anastomosis surgery is said to reduce complications. Fasting may extend up to five days, risking malnourishment and usage of parenteral nutrition. This study aims to establish the efficacy and safety of early enteral nutrition in children undergoing intestinal stoma closure.

METHODOLOGY

A retrospective cohort study of children aged three months to 16 years who underwent an intestinal stoma closure between 1/1/2019 and 31/12/2021 at two tertiary paediatric hospitals was undertaken. Children fed clear fluids within 24 h (EEN) were compared to those commencing feeds later (LEN). The primary outcome was length of post-operative stay (LOS) and secondary outcomes included: time to feeds; time to stool; and complications.

RESULTS

Of the 129 children that underwent a stoma closure, 69 met inclusion criteria: 35 (51 %) in the LEN group and 34 (49 %) in the EEN group. Children in the EEN group had a significantly shorter LOS (92.6 h vs 121.7 h, p = 0.0045). Early feeding was also associated with a significantly decreased time to free fluids (p < 0.001) and full enteral intake (p = 0.007). There was no significant intergroup difference in complications.

CONCLUSION

Commencing feeding within 24 h of stoma closure is efficacious and safe, with clear reductions in LOS, time to full feeds and time to stool, and no increase in complications. Further research is required to extrapolate these findings to other populations.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Bilateral Exchange: Enteral Nutrition Clinical Decision Making in Pediatric Surgery Patients

INTRODUCTION

Evidence-based medicine guides clinical decision-making; however, promoting enteral nutrition has historically followed a dogmatic approach in which patients graduate from clear liquids to full liquids to a regular diet after return of bowel function. Enhanced recovery after surgery has demonstrated that early enteral nutrition initiation is associated with shorter hospital stays. We aimed to understand postoperative pediatric nutrition practices in Kenya and the United States.

METHODS

We completed a prospective observational study of pediatric surgery fellows during clinical rounds in a pediatric referral center in Kenya (S4A) and one in the United States (Riley). Fellow-patient interactions were observed from postoperative day one to discharge or postoperative day 30, whichever happened first. Patient demographic, operative information, and daily observations including nutritional status were collected via REDCap.

RESULTS

We included 75 patients with 41 (54.7%) from Kenya; patients in Kenya were younger with 40% of patients in Kenya presenting as neonates. Median time to initiation and full enteral nutrition was shorter for the patients at Riley when compared to their counterparts at S4A. In the neonatal subgroup, patients at S4A initiated enteral nutrition sooner, but their hospital length of stays were not significantly different.

CONCLUSIONS

Studying current nutrition practices may guide early enteral nutrition protocols. Implementing these protocols, particularly in a setting where enteral nutrition alternatives are minimal, may provide evidence of success and overrule dogmatic nutrition advancement. Studying implementation of these protocols in resource-constrained areas, where patient length of stay is often related to socioeconomic factors, may identify additional benefits to patients.

Correlation analysis of feeding intolerance and defecation after primary anastomosis for neonatal intestinal atresia

PURPOSE

To investigate the correlation between postoperative feeding intolerance and defecation, with a view to carrying out prognostic assessment and timely intervention for the recovery of postoperative gastrointestinal function.

METHODS

The 114 neonates with congenital intestinal atresia who underwent primary anastomosis admitted to Shenzhen Children's Hospital from January 2014 to December 2022 were studied, and the patients' basic information, intraoperative conditions, postoperative feeding and defecation, and hospitalization time were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

The risk factors for feeding intolerance after primary anastomosis for intestinal atresia are the gestational days, the time of the first postoperative defecations, the number of defecations on the previous day and the average number of defecations before feeding.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of postoperative feeding intolerance is higher in preterm infants, and pediatricians can decide the timing of breastfeeding on the basis of the patients' defecation. The focus on accurate defecation may be more meaningful in determining and predicting postoperative feeding intolerance in the infants.

Outcomes of Early Oral Feeding Compared to Delayed Feeding in Children after Elective Distal Bowel Anastomosis

Background

Conventionally, oral feeds after distal bowel anastomosis surgery (ileostomy/colostomy closure) are delayed until after bowel peristalsis is established. The safety of an early feeding regimen is not established in children. This study compared early feeding regimens with delayed feeding in children undergoing elective intestinal anastomosis surgeries.

Materials and Methods

In this retrospective multicentric cohort study, children undergoing elective distal bowel anastomosis surgery were divided into Group A (oral feeds allowed within 6 h) and Group B (delayed feeds). The two groups were compared for the incidence of abdomen distension, vomiting, surgical site infection, duration of analgesia, length of hospital stay, and readmission rate.

Results

During the study, 58 patients were included: Group A (n = 26) and Group B (n = 32). The duration of analgesia (1.9 vs. 4.01 days) and length of hospital stay (3.38 vs. 5.0 days) were significantly less in Group A. Abdominal distension (7.7% vs. 15.6%), vomiting (11.5% vs. 15.6%), surgical site infection rate (3.8% vs. 12.5%), and readmissions (0% vs. 3.1%) were less in Group A, but statistically not significant.

Conclusion

Early feeding after the elective restoration of distal bowel continuity can be safely practiced in the pediatric population. It is associated with a reduced need for analgesia and shorter hospital stay.

Early oral feeding following intestinal anastomosis surgery in infants: a multicenter real world study

Background

To prevent postoperative complications, delayed oral feeding (DOF) remains a common model of care following pediatric intestinal anastomosis surgery; however, early oral feeding (EOF) has been shown to be safe and effective in reducing the incidence of complications and fast recovery after pediatric surgery. Unfortunately, the evidence in support of EOF after intestinal anastomosis (IA) in infants is insufficient. Therefore, this study was primarily designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of EOF. In addition, the current status of EOF application and associated factors that favor or deter EOF implementation were also assessed.

Methods

A total of 898 infants were divided into two groups (EOF group, n = 182; DOF group, n = 716), and the clinical characteristics were collected to identify the factors associated with EOF in infants. Complications and recovery were also compared to define the safety and efficacy after balancing the baseline data by propensity score matching (PSM) (EOF group, n = 179; DOF group, n = 319).

Results

The total EOF rate in infants with IA was 20.3%. Multivariate logistic regression revealed significant differences in the EOF rates based on IA site and weight at the time of surgery (OR = 0.652, 95% CI: 0.542-0.784, p < 0.001) and (OR = 1.188, 95% CI: 1.036-1.362, p = 0.013), respectively. The duration of total parenteral nutrition (TPN), parenteral nutrition (PN), and postoperative hospital stay were significantly shorter in the EOF group than the DOF group [2.0 (1.0, 2.0) d vs. 5.0 (3.0, 6.0) d; 6.0 (5.0, 8.0) d vs. 8.0 (6.0, 11.0) d; 10.0 (7.0, 14.0) d vs. 12.0 (9.0, 15.0) d, all p < 0.001]. The rates of abdominal distension and vomiting in the EOF group were significantly higher than the DOF group (17.9% vs. 7.2%, p < 0.001; 7.8% vs. 2.5%, p = 0.006); however, no differences were found in failure to initial OF, diarrhea, hematochezia, and anastomotic leakage between the two groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The overall rate of EOF in infants following IA was low, and the sites of anastomosis and weight at surgery were two factors associated with EOF. Nevertheless, performing EOF in infants after IA was safe and effective, reduced PN usage, shortened the hospital stay, and did not increase the rate of severe complications.Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrails.gov, identifier NCT04464057.

An Isolated Perforation of the Fourth Part of the Duodenum Following Blunt Abdominal Trauma: A Case Report

An isolated perforation of the duodenum is rare in cases of blunt abdominal trauma, and diagnosis is often delayed due to subtle clinical signs. We present the case of a 13-year-old male patient who presented to the hospital with an alleged history of being run over in the abdomen by a vehicle and a complaint of severe abdominal pain. Radiography of the abdomen in the standing position showed air under the diaphragm, and ultrasonography revealed free fluid in the pelvic and peritoneal cavities, clinching the diagnosis of hollow viscus perforation. The patient was resuscitated and underwent an exploratory laparotomy under general anesthesia. On exploration, no perforation was found in the intraperitoneal organs. The retroperitoneum was opened, and the Cattell-Braasch maneuver was used to approach the duodenum. A single perforation was discovered in the fourth part, and a modified graham patch repair was done. As soon as the patient's bowel sounds returned, a low-fat diet was started through a nasojejunal tube placed distal to the perforation site. The patient was discharged in good condition and is doing well with regular follow-ups. This case emphasizes the need for a high index of suspicion for gut perforation of both intra- and retroperitoneal organs after blunt trauma. This will help in early diagnosis and timely management to reduce perforation-associated mortality. Damage control surgery, with primary closure of the perforation, is well-suited and preferred in an emergency and resource-limited setting.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of safety and efficacy of early enteral nutrition as an isolated component of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery [ERAS] in children after bowel anastomosis surgery

BACKGROUND

Postoperative feeding practices are not uniform in children undergoing bowel anastomosis surgery. Primary aim of this review was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of early enteral nutrition (EEN) as an isolated component of enhanced recovery in children undergoing bowel anastomosis surgery.

METHODS

Medical search engines (PubMed, CENTRAL, Google scholar) were accessed from inception to January 2021. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT)s, non-randomized controlled trials, observational studies and retrospective studies comparing EEN, initiated within 48 h vs late enteral nutrition (LEN), initiated after 48 h in children ≤ 18 years undergoing bowel anastomosis surgery were included. Primary outcome measure was the incidence of postoperative complications (anastomotic leak, abdominal distension, surgical site infection, wound dehiscence, vomiting and septic complications). Secondary outcome measures were the time to passage of first feces and the length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

Twelve hundred and eighty-six children from 10 studies were included in this review. No difference was seen between the EEN and LEN groups in the incidence of anastomotic leak (1.69% vs 4.13%; p = 0.06), abdominal distention (13.87% vs 12.31%; p = 0.57), wound dehiscence (3.07% vs 2.69%; p = 0.69) or vomiting (8.11% vs 8.67%; p = 0.98). The incidence of surgical site infections (7.51% vs 11.72%; p = 0.04), septic complications (14.02% vs 26.22%; p = 0.02) as well as pooled overall complications (8.11% vs 11.27%; RR 0.71; 95% CI = 0.56 to 0.89; p = 0.003; I² = 33%) were significantly lower in the EEN group. The time to passage of first feces (MD - 17.23 h; 95% CI -23.13 to -11.34; p < 0.00001; I² = 49%) and the length of hospital stay (MD -2.95 days; 95% CI -3.73 to -2.17; p < 0.00001; I² = 93%) were significantly less in the EEN group.

CONCLUSION

EEN is safe and effective in children following bowel anastomosis surgery and is associated with a lower overall incidence of complications as compared to LEN. EEN also promotes early bowel recovery and hospital discharge. However, further well designed RCTs are required to validate these findings.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

V.

Current outcomes of infants with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula: A multicenter analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to quantify mortality rates and hospital lengths of stay (LOS) in neonates with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF), and to characterize the effects of birth weight (BW) and associated congenital anomalies upon these.

METHODS

Data regarding patients with EA/TEF were prospectively collected (2013-2019) at 298 North American centers. The primary outcome was mortality and secondary outcome was LOS.  Risk factors affecting mortality and LOS were assessed.

RESULTS

EA/TEF was diagnosed in 3290 infants with a median BW of 2476 g (IQR 1897,2970). In-hospital mortality was 12.7%. Mortality was inversely correlated with BW. After adjustment, the risk of mortality decreased by approximately 11% with every 100 g increase in BW. A significant congenital anomaly other than EA/TEF was diagnosed in 37.9% of patients. Risk of mortality increased in patients with associated congenital anomalies, most notably in those with a severe cardiac anomaly. Lower BW was associated with an increased mean LOS among survivors. Similar to mortality risk, additional anomalies were associated with prolonged LOS.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates an in-hospital mortality of over 10%. Both increased mortality and prolonged LOS are highly associated with lower birth weight and the presence of concomitant congenital anomalies.

Early Feeding versus Traditional Feeding in Children with Ileostomy Closure

Context

Elective intestinal anastomosis is a frequently used surgical procedure in pediatric surgery.

Aims

This study aimed to compare postoperative complications and hospital stay in children who underwent ileostomy closure with early feeding in the 1^st 24 h versus those in whom the oral route was initiated traditionally.

Settings and Design

Observational, comparative, cross-sectional, ambispective, and single-center study that included pediatric patients who had undergone ileostomy closure from January 2017 to August 2019.

Materials and Methods

Data were analyzed in SPSS. Statistical analysis was used: the variables were analyzed using the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test when the former could not be applied.

Results

They were divided into the following two groups: group 1 included patients who started the oral route early (n = 25) and Group 2 included patients who started the oral route late (n = 20). The average in-hospital stay for Group 1 was 5.48 days and that for Group 2 was 8.35 days. In Group 1, the oral route was started with a mean of 9.32 h and in Group 2 at 146.4 h. Those in Group 1 at 32.9 h presented their first evacuation and Group 2 at 131.45 h. Group 1 reached their normal diet on average at 79.96 h and Group 2 at 172.8 h.

Conclusions

This comparison between early oral feeding and traditional oral feeding suggests that various benefits exist when enteral nutrition is initiated early after ileostomy closure in pediatric patients. The benefits and importance of initiating early oral feeding in adults have been reported, but there are few studies on pediatric populations.

Standardized Feeding Protocol Improves Delivery and Acceptance of Enteral Nutrition in Children Immediately After Liver Transplantation

Delivery of adequate nutrition after liver transplantation (LT) surgery is an important goal of postoperative care. Existing guidelines recommend early enteral nutrition after abdominal surgery and in the child who is critically ill but data on nutritional interventions after LT in children are sparse. We evaluated the impact of a standardized postoperative feeding protocol on enteral nutrition delivery in children after LT. Data from 49 children (ages 0-18 years) who received a LT prior to feeding protocol implementation were compared with data for 32 children undergoing LT after protocol implementation. The 2 groups did not differ with respect to baseline demographic data. After protocol implementation, enteral nutrition was started earlier (2 versus 3 days after transplant; P = 0.005) and advanced faster when a feeding tube was used (4 versus 8 days; P = 0.03). Protocol implementation was also associated with reduced parenteral nutrition use rates (47% versus 75%; P = 0.01). No adverse events occurred after protocol implementation. Hospital length of stay and readmission rates were not different between the 2 groups. In conclusion, implementation of a postoperative nutrition protocol in children after LT led to optimized nutrient delivery and reduced variability of care.

Working towards an ERAS Protocol for Pancreatic Transplantation: A Narrative Review

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) initially started in the early 2000s as a series of protocols to improve the perioperative care of surgical patients. They aimed to increase patient satisfaction while reducing postoperative complications and postoperative length of stay. Despite these protocols being widely adopted in many fields of surgery, they are yet to be adopted in pancreatic transplantation: a high-risk surgery with often prolonged length of postoperative stay and high rate of complications. We have analysed the literature in pancreatic and transplantation surgery to identify the necessary preoperative, intra-operative and postoperative components of an ERAS pathway in pancreas transplantation.

Early enteral feeding after intestinal anastomosis in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

PURPOSE

Delayed enteral feeding (DEF) contributes to postoperative complications among children undergoing intestinal surgery. Various recent studies indicate the benefits of early enteral nutrition after intestinal surgery in adults. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates whether early enteral feeding (EEF) is beneficial in children who underwent intestinal anastomosis.

METHODS

MEDLINE, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched for RCTs that addressed the effect of EEF in children (younger than 18 years old) undergoing intestinal anastomosis. EEF was defined as starting enteral feeding before the 3rd postoperative day. Studies were selected based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. A meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 to estimate odds ratios (ORs) or mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Four RCT studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 97 cases with EEF and 89 cases with DEF. Enteral feeding started significantly earlier in the EEF group compared to the DEF group (MD = - 2.80; 95% CI - 3.11 to - 2.49; p < 0.00001). Postoperative anastomotic leak rate was unchanged between EEF and DEF groups (OR = 0.86; 95% CI 0.17-4.46; p = 0.86). The EEF group had a shorter length of hospital stay (MD = - 3.38; 95% CI - 4.29 to - 2.48; p < 0.00001), earlier time to bowel movement return (MD = - 0.57; 95% CI - 0.79 to - 0.35; p < 0.00001), lower incidence of surgical infection (OR = 0.27; 95% CI 0.08-0.90; p = 0.03), and faster tolerance of full enteral feeding (MD = - 2.00; 95% CI - 3.01 to - 2.79; p < 0.00001). Incidence of fever (OR = 0.37; 95% CI 0.10-1.31; p = 0.12), emesis, and abdominal distention (OR = 0.63; 95% CI 0.13-3.16; p = 0.58) were not different between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Early enteral feeding after intestinal anastomosis in children does not increase the risk of postoperative anastomotic leak, fever, emesis, and abdominal distention. However, early enteral feeding is beneficial as it promotes the return of bowel function, reduces the length of hospital stay and the incidence of surgical infection in comparison to delayed enteral feeding.

Early Feeding after Colorectal Surgery in Children: Is it Safe?

Aim of the Study

The aim of this study is to assess the role of early feeding after elective colorectal surgery in children and compare the outcome of feeding practice early versus traditional feeding.

Study Design

A randomized controlled, single-center study was conducted over a period of 3 years (November 2015-October 2018) at a tertiary care center.

Materials and Methods

Patients (n = 147), after colostomy closure (as elective colorectal surgery), were randomly selected for postoperative feeding initiation and were divided into two groups, namely the control (traditional feeding) group and study group (early feeding). In early group, feeding was initiated on the postoperative day 1 after the removal of nasogastric tube (removed after 16 h of surgery). Postoperative hospital stay and complications were compared among them.

Statistical Analysis Used

Data were tabulated and analyzed in Microsoft Excel 2010.

Results

Among 147 patients (boys[70] and girls [77]), the average age of colostomy closure was 4.36 years. Forty-five patients had early feeding and 102 traditional feeding. Average postoperative hospital stay was noted 5.62 ± 1.11 days for "Study group" and 8.1 ± 1.04 days for "Control group." Postoperative complications were found in 17 patients; 11 (7.5%) superficial surgical site infection (9 [8.8%] in control and 2 [4.4%] in study group) and 6 (4%) minor fecal fistulae (5 [4.9%] in control group and 1 [2.2%] in study group). None required any further surgical intervention. No mortality was reported.

Conclusions

Early feeding initiation after elective colorectal surgery is safe, and postoperative hospital stay is significantly reduced. It is definitely a step forward in the era of fast track surgery in pediatric population.

Early enteral feeding after pediatric abdominal surgery: A systematic review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Traditionally enteral nutrition has been delayed following abdominal surgery in children, to prevent complications. However, recent evidence in the adult literature refutes the supposed benefits of fasting and suggests decreased complications with early enteral nutrition (EEN). This review aimed to compile the evidence for EEN in children in this setting.

METHODS

Databases Pubmed, EmBase, Medline and reference lists were searched for articles containing relevant search terms according to PRISMA guidelines. First and second authors reviewed abstracts. Studies containing patients less than 18 years undergoing abdominal surgery, with feeding initiated earlier than standard practice, were included. Studies including pyloromyotomy were excluded. Primary outcome was length of stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes included time to full enteral nutrition, time to stool and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Fourteen articles met inclusion criteria - five on neonatal abdominal surgery, three on gastrostomy formation and six on intestinal anastomoses. There were three randomized control trials (RCTs), five cohort studies, four historical control trials, one nonrandomized trial and one case series. Nine studies showed a decreased LOS with EEN. Most studies which reported time to full enteral nutrition showed improvement with EEN; however, time to stool was similar in most studies. Postoperative complications were either decreased or not statistically different in EEN groups in all studies.

CONCLUSION

Studies to date in a limited number of procedures suggest EEN appears safe and effective in children undergoing abdominal surgery. Although robust evidence is lacking, there are clear benefits in LOS and time to full feeds, and no increase in complications.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.