Early versus delayed postoperative oral hydration after general anesthesia: a prospective randomized trial

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Postoperative Care
• Patient Recovery

Background:

• General anesthesia can lead to dehydration and discomfort.
• Optimizing fluid intake post-surgery is crucial for patient well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the safety and tolerability of early oral hydration (EOH) versus delayed oral hydration (DOH) after general anesthesia.
• To evaluate patient-reported outcomes including thirst, discomfort, and satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial involving 1000 adult patients undergoing non-gastrointestinal surgery.
• Patients were assigned to EOH (water upon recovery) or DOH (water 4 hours post-anesthesia).
• Outcomes assessed included nausea, vomiting, thirst, oropharyngeal discomfort, and satisfaction.

Main Results:

• EOH showed a very low incidence of vomiting, with no significant difference compared to DOH.
• EOH significantly decreased patients' thirst and oropharyngeal discomfort scales (p < 0.0001).
• Significantly higher patient satisfaction was reported in the EOH group (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• Early oral hydration after general anesthesia is safe and well-tolerated for non-gastrointestinal surgery patients.
• EOH enhances patient comfort by reducing thirst and oropharyngeal discomfort.
• Implementing EOH can improve overall patient satisfaction in the postoperative period.