[Efficacy and safety of lactulose on the treatment of puerperal constipation]

To observe the therapeutic effects and security of oral lactulose solution on treatment of puerperal constipation.

A total of 200 patients with puerperal constipation who received regular antenatal cares from early pregnancy in our department and delivered in our hospital from January 2013 to October 2013, were randomly divided into two groups. The patients in control group (n = 100) received defecation habits training, diet management and drinking adequate water etc. The patients in therapy group (n = 100) received 20 ml oral lactulose solution, twice a day and constantly treatment for 4 weeks. The frequency of defecation per week were recorded (including before treatment, period during the treatment, and the first week after finish the whole treatment). The adverse reactions and recurrence of constipation after treatment were analyzed.

The frequency of defecation per week in the therapy group was higher than that in the control group at the first week after treatment (t = 2.178, P = 0.869), and significantly increase in the fourth week (t = 8.390, P = 0.000). The efficiency of the lactulose groups was 92%, and the control group was 21% (χ² = 112.530, P = 0.000). The total recurrence of constipation in lactulose group was lower than that in the control group by follow up 120 days (4% vs 18%, χ² = 10.010, P = 0.001).

Oral lactulose solution is effective and safe for puerperal consipation.