Feeding Post-Pyloromyotomy: A Meta-analysis

CONTEXT

Postoperative emesis is common after pyloromyotomy. Although postoperative feeding is likely to be an influencing factor, there is no consensus on optimal feeding.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect of feeding regimens on clinical outcomes of infants after pyloromyotomy.

DATA SOURCES

Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, and Medline.

STUDY SELECTION

Two reviewers independently assessed studies for inclusion based on a priori inclusion criteria.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data were extracted on methodological quality, general study and intervention characteristics, and clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies were included. Ad libitum feeding was associated with significantly shorter length of stay (LOS) when compared with structured feeding (mean difference [MD] -4.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], -8.38 to -0.95; P = .01). Although gradual feeding significantly decreased emesis episodes (MD -1.70; 95% CI, -2.17 to -1.23; P < .00001), rapid feeding led to significantly shorter LOS (MD 22.05; 95% CI, 2.18 to 41.93; P = .03). Late feeding resulted in a significant decrease in number of patients with emesis (odds ratio 3.13; 95% CI, 2.26 to 4.35; P < .00001).

LIMITATIONS

Exclusion of non-English studies, lack of randomized controlled trials, insufficient number of studies to perform publication bias or subgroup analysis for potential predictors of emesis.

CONCLUSIONS

Ad libitum feeding is recommended for patients after pyloromyotomy as it leads to decreased LOS. If physicians still prefer structured feeding, early rapid feeds are recommended as they should lead to a reduced LOS.

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