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

Infographic · Jun 2024 · 1 min read

In brief

Retrospective study of 69 children demonstrates that early enteral nutrition within 24 hours of enterostomy closure significantly reduces hospital stay and time to full feeds without increasing complications. Findings challenge traditional nil-by-mouth protocols and support early feeding protocols in pediatric intestinal surgery.

Early enteral nutrition within 24h after pediatric stoma closure reduces hospital stay by ~29h without increasing complications.
Traditional prolonged fasting (up to 5 days) post-anastomosis risks malnutrition and unnecessary parenteral nutrition use.
Early feeding significantly accelerates time to full enteral intake and return of bowel function compared to delayed feeding.
No significant difference in complication rates between early (24h) vs late feeding groups in this 69-patient cohort.
Study challenges conventional nil-by-mouth practice after intestinal anastomosis in children aged 3 months to 16 years.

Written by the GCMD Library team from the infographic.

Three-panel infographic with red sidebar containing study metadata. Left panel shows stoma illustration, center panel displays bottle icon with 24-hour clock, right panel shows baby feeding icon and hospital building with outcome statistics. Teal accent color highlights key findings.

New infographic by Dr. Jose Campos and the Chilean Society of pediatric surgeons

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

Authors: James Cope, Douglas Greer, Soundappan S.V. Soundappan, Aneetha Pasupati, Susan Adams

Full article: https://gcmd.co/4cnWw2V

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.

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