Early oral hydration after cesarean delivery performed under regional anesthesia

Objective: To establish an early, safe, and well-tolerated time to start oral hydration after cesarean delivery. Methods: A prospective randomized trial of women delivered by cesarean under regional anesthesia at Alanya Research and Medical Center, Turkey, between 2005 and 2006. A clear liquid drink was given to 100 women in the early oral intake (EOI) group 2 hours after surgery, and to 100 women in the delayed oral intake (DOI) group 8 hours after surgery. If the drink was tolerated, solid foods were then given gradually. Result: In the EOI and DOI groups, respectively, the mean time for the return of bowel movements was 4.4 +/- 1.9 In vs 6.3 +/- 2.4 h; mean time elapsed until initial passage of flatus was 12.1 +/- 5.5 h vs 24.1 +/- 6.0 h; and mean duration of hospitalization was 29.6 +/- 5.5 h vs 44.6 +/- 6.8 h (P<0.05). Conclusion: Following cesarean delivery under regional anesthesia, oral hydration given as early as 2 hours after the operation is safe and well tolerated. (C) 2008 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.