A randomized controlled trial comparing early versus late oral feeding after cesarean section under regional anesthesia

Figures & data

Figure 1 Randomization diagram.

Table 1 Characteristics of participants in EOF and LOF groups after C-section under regional anesthesia

Characteristics	Total (n=136)	Early Feeding (n=69)	Late Feeding (n=67)	P-Value
Maternal Age (year)^a	32.1±11.3	32.3±5.0	31.8±5.6	0.544
Gestational Age (weeks)^a	38.4±0.6	38.4±0.6	38.3±0.6	0.553
Parity (%)^b				0.633
• 0	22.1	21.7	22.4
• 1	62.5	60.9	64.2
• ≥2	15.4	17.3	13.5
Prepregnant BMI (kg/m^2)^a	23.6±4.6	23.8±4.3	23.4±5.0	0.641
• <18.5 (%)	10.3	5.8	14.9
• 18.5–24.9 (%)	61	66.7	55.2
• 25–29.9 (%)	16.9	17.4	16.4
• ≥30 (%)	11.8	10.1	13.4
Indication for C-section (%)^b				0.965
• Previous C-section	77.9	76.8	79.1
• Malpresentation	12.5	13.0	11.9
• CPD	2.9	2.9	3
• Other	6.7	7.3	6
Surgeons (%)^b				0.751
• Residents
• 1st year	14	11.6	16.4
• 2nd year	55.9	55.2	56.7
• 3rd year	27.9	10.4	25.4
• Staffs	2.2	2.9	1.5
Surgical site (%)^b				0.016
• Pfannenstiel	91.2	97.1	85.1
• Midline	8.8	2.9	14.9
History of C-section (%)^b				0.218
• no	22.1	24.6	19.4
• Previous 1 time	68.4	63.8	73.1
• Previous ≥2 times	9.5	11.6	7.5
Intrathecal morphine (%)^b				1.000
• With	77.2	76.8	77.6
• Without	22.8	23.2	22.4
Operative Time (min)^a	59.1±14.0	59.1±14.5	59.0±13.4	0.939
Estimated Blood Loss (mL)^a	440.0±155.0	578.7±163.8	421.6±143.6	0.164
Time to bowel sound examination (min)^a	1,078.0±99.7	1,073.5±96.9	1,082.8±103.0	0.589

Notes: ^aPresented as mean ± SD comparing by two-independent T-test. ^bPresented as percentage comparing by chi-squared test.

Table 2 Main outcomes in EOF and LOF groups after C-section under regional anesthesia

Outcomes	Total (n=136)	Early Feeding (n=69)	Late Feeding (n=67)	P-Value
Time to Passing Flatus (min)	1605.0±778.0	1,589.4±802.8	1,621.8±756.6	0.809
Present Bowel Sound at Next Morning (%)^b	66.2	87.0	44.8	<0.001
Time to Passing Stool (min)^a	3031.0±976.0	3,213.0±868.8	3,084.0±660.0	0.504
Mild ileus symptoms (%)^b	41.9	42.0	41.8	0.978
• Nausea at 6–8 hr.	4.4	5.8	3	0.681
• Nausea within 24 hr.	7.3	7.2	7.5	0.870
• Nausea at discharge	0.7	0	1.5	0.493
• Vomiting at 6–8 hr.	3.6	5.7	1.5	0.245
• Vomiting within 24 hr.	5.1	2.8	7.5	0.189
• Vomiting at discharge	0	0	0	-
• Bloating at 6–8 hr.	9.6	8.7	10.4	0.777
• Bloating within 24 hr.	27.2	27.5	26.9	1.000
• Bloating at discharge	2.5	1.4	4.5	0.362
Severe ileus symptoms (%)^b	0	0	0	-
Satisfaction Level (1–5)^a
• Hunger	3.5±1.0	3.8±0.9	3.2±1.0	0.002
• Thirst	3.5±1.1	3.6±1.0	3.4±1.2	0.269
• Postoperative consuming	4.3±0.7	4.4±0.6	4.1±0.8	0.049
• Postoperative care	4.7±0.5	4.7±0.4	4.7±0.5	0.776

Notes: ^aPresented as mean ± SD comparing by two-independent T-test. ^bPresented as percentage comparing by chi-square test.