Kiloloma, Wanin Othman2020-05-282020-05-282004Kiloloma, W.O (2004) The effect of early postoperative oral feeding in patients undergoing abdominal surgery at Muhimbili national hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam.http://41.86.178.5:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/11613Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF RG52.N88K5)TITLE: Effect of early postoperative oral feeding in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a period of starvation ‘nil by mouth’ after abdominal surgery is beneficial. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative complications, mortality, onset of bowel movement and length of hospital stay. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Patients undergoing abdominal surgery at MNH, between December, 2002 to November, 2003, were prospectively randomized to those who started on graduated oral feeding on first day (group 1), controls were on ‘nil by mouth’ regimen (group II). The onset of bowel movement, length of hospital stay, mortality and complications like wound infection +/- dehiscence, anastomotic leakage, intra-abdominal abscesses and vomiting were evaluated. Exclusion criteria included patients who were unconscious, under five children, patients with gross abdominal distension +/- vomiting and those patients on prolonged steroid therapy.enOral feedingAbdominal surgeryThesis