MedPath

Interventions to Decrease the Impact of Post-OPerative Ileus After Liver Transplant or Resection Surgery

Phase 1
Completed
Conditions
Ileus
Interventions
Drug: stool softener
Dietary Supplement: sugar free gum
Registration Number
NCT01156129
Lead Sponsor
University of Nebraska
Brief Summary

This is a randomized controlled trial to assess ways to address post-operative ileus (POI) in adult patients on the liver transplant service undergoing either liver transplant or resection surgery. Patient who speak and understand English will be randomized into one of three groups including a.)control group receiving standard therapy for post-operative ileus, b.)group receiving standard therapy and acupressure bracelets, and c.)group receiving standard therapy and sugar free gum four times daily.

Detailed Description

Any patient undergoing liver transplant or resection surgery will be asked to participate in the study and assigned to a control or investigational group. Pertinent information will be collected from the medical record including gender, age in years, diagnosis, type of surgery, length of stay, medications used for pain or nausea, and first bowel movement. The subjects will also be asked to keep a journal of their bowel habits, signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal distress/post-operative ileus, use of medications, first bowel movement, satisfaction with bowel management and any additional comments.

Aims of the study are to determine the effectiveness of the three arms of this trial for the resolution of POI as noted by first post-operative bowel movement; to determine if there is a difference in the length of stay based on the interventions; and to determine if there is a difference in patient satisfaction based on the intervention.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
111
Inclusion Criteria
  • Patients 19 years or older who speak and read English and have had a liver transplant or liver resection surgery
Exclusion Criteria
  • Patients less than 19 years of age having liver transplant or liver resection surgery
  • Non-English speaking
  • Pregnancy

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Arm A: Standard therapy (use of medications)stool softenerstool softener
Arm Csugar free gumSugar free gum
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Timing of first post operative bowel movementDays post operative

First bowel movement

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Length of hospital stayTime from admission to discharge post surgery

Length of stay

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Unversity of Nebraska Medical Center

🇺🇸

Omaha, Nebraska, United States

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath