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Pyridostigmine Efficacy and Safety for Treatment of Ileus After Colorectal Surgery

Pyridostigmine Efficacy and Safety for Treatment of Ileus After Colorectal Surgery (PESTI Trial)

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 2Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05334485
Acronym
PESTI
Enrollment
50
Registered
2022-04-19
Start date
2024-09-03
Completion date
2026-10-31
Last updated
2026-01-07

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Postoperative Ileus

Brief summary

A double blind, placebo controlled, randomized control trial studying the safety and efficacy of pyridostigmine as a rescue therapy for postoperative ileus. Patients who undergo elective colorectal resection with or without creation of an ostomy, and subsequently develop postoperative ileus will be eligible for enrollment. Patients will be randomized to receive either pyridostigmine or placebo in addition to the current elements of standard of care. Patients will also complete the pyridostigmine bromide side effects scale (PBSES) upon enrollment and following each administration of either intervention or placebo to monitor treatment safety and evaluate for the development of side effects.

Interventions

Oral 60mg pyridostigmine bromide

OTHERPlacebo

Oral starch placebo

Sponsors

Stefan Holubar MD MS FACS, FASCRS
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Caregiver)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

1. Adult (age 18 and over) patients with benign or malignant colonic or rectal disease who have undergone elective laparoscopic, robotic, or open colorectal resections with or without ostomy construction at our center, and subsequently developed POI, defined as symptoms of bloating with or without nausea and vomiting, with absence of passage of flatus or stool for at least 48 hours postoperatively and require return to NPO status after initial diet attempts with or without placement of an NGT. 2. Radiographic confirmation of POI diagnosis either via abdominal radiography (KUB), computed tomography abdomen/pelvis (CT A/P), or both 3. ECOG Performance status \< 4 4. Laboratory evidence of normal organ function, defined as: 1. Hemoglobin ≥ 7.0 g/dL 2. WBC ≤ 20,000/mcL and ≥ 4,000/mcL 3. Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mcL or ≤ 100,000,000/mcL 4. AST (SGOT) ≤ 2.5 times the institutional upper limit of normal 5. ALT (SGPT) ≤ 2.5 times the institutional upper limit of normal 6. Total bilirubin within the upper limit of institutional normal range 7. Serum Creatinine within the upper limit of institutional normal range

Exclusion criteria

1. Radiographic evidence of bowel obstruction 2. Documented intraabdominal septic complications (IASC, such as abdominopelvic abscess, peritonitis, anastomotic leak) at any time prior to or after enrollment 3. Isolated small bowel or ostomy surgery without colon or rectal resection 4. ASA score 5 5. Pregnant or breastfeeding females as PYR is classified by the FDA as a pregnancy risk category C medication with the potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects and demonstrated secretion into breastmilk with an unknown but potential risk for adverse effects in the nursing infants 6. Current use of any other investigational agents including: neostigmine or other acetylcholine esterase inhibitors, alvimopan, metoclopramide, erythromycin, methylnaltrexone, naloxegol, cisapride, and laxatives or cathartics (i.e. milk of magnesia, polyethylene glycol) 7. History of allergic reactions attributed to PYR or other acetylcholine esterase inhibitors 8. Patients with any of the following uncontrolled, concurrent illnesses: active or latent MG, bronco-constrictive disease (asthma/reactive airway disease), chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), symptomatic congestive heart failure (CHF), unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia including bradycardia, renal failure, hepatic failure, gastroparesis, short bowel syndrome (small bowel \< 200cm), preexisting short or large bowel dysmotility or pseudo-obstruction, chronic constipation/laxative use, peritoneal carcinomatosis, and psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Time until return of bowel functionTime from administration of pyridostigmine bromide or placebo until first passage of flatus for up to 30 daysFollowing the administration of either pyridostigmine bromide or placebo, the time (in minutes) until return of bowel function will be recorded. Return of bowel function is defined as the first passage of flatus.
Incidence of pyridostigmine bromide associated side effectsParticipants will complete the survey at enrollment and then again at 30 minutes following each administration of either pyridostigmine bromide or placebo.Side effects of pyridostigmine bromide will be assessed using the Pyridostigmine Bromide Side Effects Scale (PBSES) survey tool. Participants will complete this survey at specific time points to evaluate and monitor for the development of established side effects associated with pyridostigmine bromide administration.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of participants with complications30-day period following surgeryThe number of participants with any type of complication or adverse event occurring within the first 30-days following surgery.
Time to passage of stool after postoperative ileus diagnosisTime from the point of postoperative ileus diagnosis until the first passage of stool for up to 30 daysThe amount of time (in minutes) from the participant being diagnosed with postoperative ileus confirmed with imaging findings until the first passage of stool.
Number of participants requiring re-admission30-day period following surgeryThe number of participants requiring re-admission to the hospital for any reason during the first 30-days following surgery.
Number of participants requiring re-operation30-day period following initial surgeryThe number of participants who require a re-operation for any reason during the first 30-days following the initial operation.
Time to tolerance of solid food after postoperative ileusTime from the point of postoperative ileus diagnosis until first meal in which solid food is tolerated for up to 30 daysThe amount of time (in minutes) from the participant being diagnosed with postoperative ileus confirmed with imaging findings until the first tolerance of solid food.

Countries

United States

Contacts

Primary ContactStefan D Holubar
holubas@ccf.org2164447000

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026