Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of early postoperative feeding on recovery after appendectomy in children. It was undertaken as a multicenter study. Patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups, each containing 46 children. Postoperatively, liquid and solid food intake and evacuation of first flatus and stool were recorded for the intervention and routine care groups. Postoperative thirst, hunger, nausea, and pain levels were evaluated at regular intervals using the Visual Analogue Scale. Data were obtained as number, mean, and percentage, and statistically analyzed using the chi-square test and the 2-sample t test. A statistically significant difference was found for both the first evacuation of flatus and stool and the length of hospital stay. Patients in the intervention group had evacuated flatus and stool earlier and had a shorter hospital stay than the control group. In addition, a significant difference was found in hunger (48th hour), thirst (36th and 48th hours), and pain (48th hour) levels between the intervention and control groups. Early postoperative feeding in children who have had an appendectomy affects the occurrence of the first evacuation of flatus and stool, the length of hospital stay, and the level of hunger, thirst, and pain.