Does Caffeine Reduce Postoperative Bowel Paralysis After Elective Colectomy?
Summary
Postoperative bowel paralysis is common after abdominal operations, including colectomy. As a result, hospitalization may be prolonged leading to increased cost. A recent randomized controlled trial from the University of Heidelberg showed that consumption of regular black coffee after colectomy is safe and associated with a significantly faster resumption of intestinal motility (Müller 2012). The mechanism how coffee stimulates intestinal motility is unknown but caffeine seems to be the most likely stimulating agent. Thus, this trial addresses the question: Does caffeine reduce postoperative bowel paralysis after elective laparoscopic colectomy? Patients after laparoscopic colectomy will receive either 100 mg caffeine, 200 mg caffeine, or 250mg corn starch (placebo) 3 times daily in identically looking gelatin capsules. The study is a randomized, controlled trial, with blinding of physicians, patients and nursing stuff (evaluating the endpoints). Primary endpoint will be the time to first bowel movement.
Timeline
- Start
- 2015-08
- Primary completion
- 2020-08
- Completion
- 2020-12-22
Publications
- Background Muller SA, Rahbari NN, Schneider F, Warschkow R, Simon T, von Frankenberg M, Bork U, Weitz J, Schmied BM, Buchler MW. Randomized clinical trial on the effect of coffee on postoperative ileus following elective colectomy. Br J Surg. 2012 Nov;99(11):1530-8. doi: 10.1002/bjs.8885. Epub 2012 Sep 14.
- Background Metcalf AM, Phillips SF, Zinsmeister AR, MacCarty RL, Beart RW, Wolff BG. Simplified assessment of segmental colonic transit. Gastroenterology. 1987 Jan;92(1):40-7. doi: 10.1016/0016-5085(87)90837-7.
- Background Hobi V, Gerhard U, Gutzwiller F. [A report on experiences using Goldberg's GHQ (General Health Questionnaire)]. Schweiz Rundsch Med Prax. 1989 Feb 28;78(9):219-25. German.
- Background Hobi V. Basler Befindlichkeits-Skala. Ein Self-Rating zur Verlaufsmessung der Befindlichkeit. Manual. 1 ed. Weinheim: Beltz Test GmbH, 1985.
- Background Parrott AC, Hindmarch I. The Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire in psychopharmacological investigations - a review. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1980;71(2):173-9. doi: 10.1007/BF00434408.
- Abbassi F, Muller SA, Steffen T, Schmied BM, Warschkow R, Beutner U, Tarantino I. Caffeine for intestinal transit after laparoscopic colectomy: randomized clinical trial (CaCo trial). Br J Surg. 2022 Nov 22;109(12):1216-1223. doi: 10.1093/bjs/znac265.
- Kruse C, Muller SA, Warschkow R, Luthi C, Brunner W, Marti L, Sulz MC, Schmied BM, Tarantino I, Beutner U. Does caffeine reduce postoperative bowel paralysis after elective laparoscopic colectomy? (CaCo trial): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2016 Apr 4;17:186. doi: 10.1186/s13063-016-1297-1.