Effects of ibuprofen on postoperative bowel motility and propulsion

Eighteen mongrel dogs were randomized into two groups, and all underwent right segmental colectomy. One group received ibuprofen, 12 mg/kg, preoperatively and postoperatively q6h for 24 hours; the second group served as a saline control. Propulsion was measured radiographically (q8h X 24h, then q12h) by following intraluminal radiopaque markers. Motility was measured with a multilumen monometric catheter on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3 for a 3-hour period. Propulsion, as defined by movement of more than 80 percent of the markers to the rectum, averaged 46 hours in the saline animals vs. 40.8 hours in the ibuprofen animals for an average decrease of 13 percent (P = .42). Postoperative motility showed a significant increase in the ibuprofen-treated animals on the first postoperative day (26.8 percent, P = .043), most marked at the level of the ileum (48 percent, P = .005), with insignificant differences on the second and third days. Studies comparing ileum, proximal, and distal colon suggest that ileum and proximal colon may be the major site of ibuprofen effect (10.7 percent, P = .23 and 11.96 percent, P = .41 respectively). The data suggest that ibuprofen may have a beneficial effect on postoperative bowel motility but the clinical significance of this still needs to be determined.