The impact of early postoperative oral hydration in paediatric patients undergoing elective surgery after general anaesthesia. A randomized controlled trial.

Justification for study- Pediatric patients are more prone for postoperative complications due to fear, hunger and thirst. They have very different physiological and psychological characteristics as compared to adults. Crying and agitation during postoperative period may cause airway spasm, severe hypoxemia leading to respiratory depression and apnoea, accidental falls and other adverse events. Therefore, it represents a safety concern in postoperative period and important for proper nursing of the child [1].

To prevent postoperative coughing, vomiting and aspiration risk, early feeding or oral hydration was not administered. But now it was found that early oral feeding and hydration to be beneficial and safe. The optimal time period for such administration of feeds and fluids is unclear, therefore, through this study we want to observe the impact of early oral feeding in children in postoperative period.

Hypothesis: Compared to standard delayed hydration, early hydration in paediatric patients undergoing elective surgery after general anaesthesia will  produce decrease in post operative FLACC score with no increase in incidence of complications.