Perioperative bowel habits of women undergoing gynecologic surgery: a pilot study. Journal Article


Authors: Tarr, M. E.; Klenov, V.; Tanzy, M. E.; Rivard, C. L.; McElhinney, M. M.; Brubaker, L; Mueller, E. R.; FitzGerald, M. P.; Kenton, K.
Article Title: Perioperative bowel habits of women undergoing gynecologic surgery: a pilot study.
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To describe perioperative bowel habits of women undergoing gynecologic surgery. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included women undergoing gynecologic surgery. Before surgery, participants completed the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS), a validated instrument describing stool characteristics consistent with transit categories: slow (BSFS 1-2), normal (BSFS 3-5), and fast (BSFS 6-7). For 2 weeks after surgery, the participants recorded daily medications and bowel movements (BM), and completed BSFS. The chi(2) test, the Fisher exact test, analysis of variance, t tests, and ordinal regression were used. RESULTS: Preoperatively, most (70%) of 340 women had normal stool transit, with 15% having slow transit and 7% having fast transit. Complete postoperative data were available for 170 (50%). Mean +/- SD time to first postoperative BM was 2.8 +/- 1.4 days with transit classification: 48% normal, 32% slow, and 20% fast. CONCLUSIONS: Most women had normal stool transit both preoperatively and postoperatively. Time to first BM was longer after open surgery by approximately 3 days.
Journal Title: Female Pelvic Medicine Reconstructive Surgery
Volume: 18
Issue: 3
ISSN: 2151-8378
Publisher: Unknown  
Journal Place: United States
Date Published: 2012
Start Page: 153
End Page: 157
Language: English
DOI/URL:
Notes: ID: 12469; Record Owner: From MEDLINE, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.; Status: MEDLINE; Publishing Model: Journal available in: Print Citation processed from: Print; NLM Journal Code: 101528690; CAS Registry/EC Number/Name of Substance: 0 (Narcotics).; Entry Date: 20120814