Eat Before Surgery Can Speed Up Recovery Period

London, More than 100 years of medical protocols, patients are usually not allowed to eat at least 12 hours before surgery. But there is a new approach to change that habit, eating before surgery can actually speed up the recovery period. 

Reporting from Dailymail, Saturday (02/10/2010), this new approach was pioneered in the late nineties by a Danish surgeon, Professor Henrik Kehlet. 

According to him, the old medical protocol does not allow patients to eat 12 hours before surgery. In addition, when patients undergoing abdominal surgery, so he was not allowed to eat until a week after surgery and only allowed to move in bed for weeks. 

Thus, it is not surprising that patients often experience dramatic weight loss, especially for the weak and elderly. If left like this, post-surgery patients are even more vulnerable and susceptible to infection, so it will take laama to recovery. 

Contrary to the conventional tradition, Prof. Kehlet would recommend patients to be given carbohydrate-rich foods such as potatoes and pasta to 6 hours before surgery, as well as high-energy drinks until 2 hours before surgery. 

In addition, any patient after surgery should eat as soon as possible. Patients also should get up and move around in the next day, not just rest in bed. 

"Moving is also an important thing. Not moving and only sleep in bed for a long time increases the risk of infection so that it can prolong the illness," explained Prof. Kehlet. 

Prof. Kehlet also questioned all standard procedures and get rid of all the procedures if they do not support the healing and recovery of patients. 

According to him, the main reason for not allowing patients to eat before surgery is the risk of breathing difficulties due to food from the stomach into the lungs. But this risk was very minimal. 

Previously also expected to gut completely shut down until seven days after general anesthesia. Now known to most patients have adequate intestinal function to promote food and beverages through the intestine is only several hours after surgery. 

Prof. Kehlet approach has been followed in Britain since 2002, spearheaded by a colorectal surgeon at Yeovil District Hospital and St Mark's Hospital. 

A new way is called Enhanced Recovery (ER) has been quietly revolutionizing the pre-and post-operative care for patients. 

"ER is clearly a success story, but there were only 72 hospitals in the UK using this technique," said Ian Jenkins, a surgeon at St. Mark's Hospital, London.