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Feasibility and Safety of an Ileus Management Protocol for Postoperative Ileus After Abdominal Surgery

Feasibility and Safety of an Ileus Management Protocol for Postoperative Ileus

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07194525
Enrollment
60
Registered
2025-09-26
Start date
2023-05-31
Completion date
2024-04-01
Last updated
2025-09-26

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

Conditions

Ileus Postoperative, Nasogastric Tube

Keywords

ileus postoperative, treatment algorithm, hospital stay

Brief summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a standardized treatment algorithm, the Ileus Management Protocol (I-MAP), is feasible and safe for the management of patients who develop postoperative ileus (POI) within 30 days after abdominal surgery. The main questions it aims to answer are: Can I-MAP be applied consistently, with ≥85% adherence, in eligible patients with POI? Is the use of I-MAP associated with acceptable safety outcomes, including low rates of complications such as pneumonia, aspiration, and adverse events? This study does not include a comparison group. All participants are assigned to the I-MAP protocol, and outcomes are evaluated prospectively. Participants will: Be monitored for POI symptoms (nausea, vomiting, bloating, absence of gas/stool). Receive standardized management according to I-MAP, which includes: Daily assessment of nasogastric tube (NGT) output. Water-soluble contrast administration via NGT when indicated. Imaging (CT scan or X-ray) if obstruction is suspected. Neostigmine administration if small bowel obstruction is excluded. The primary endpoint is the feasibility of I-MAP, defined as the proportion of POI patients treated according to the algorithm. Secondary outcomes include NGT reinsertion, duration of NGT placement, hospital length of stay, conservative treatment failure, and complications related to POI.

Interventions

OTHERA standardized treatment algorithm for postoperative ileus after abdominal surgery, based on nasogastric tube output and including stepwise use of water-soluble contrast, imaging, and prokinetic medic

The Ileus Management Protocol (I-MAP) is a standardized algorithm for the treatment of postoperative ileus (POI) after abdominal surgery. Management decisions are based on nasogastric tube (NGT) output measured every 12 hours. Depending on output and tolerance, patients may receive: Water-soluble contrast (Telebrix® gastro, ioxitalamic acid 300 mg/mL) administered via NGT, followed by a clamp test at 4 hours. Diagnostic imaging (CT-scan or X-ray) if ileus persists or small bowel obstruction is suspected. Intravenous Neostigmine® (2.5 mg diluted in 500 mL NaCl 0.9%, infused over 5 hours) as a prokinetic, only after small bowel obstruction is excluded. The protocol is applied until resolution of POI or requirement of further intervention.

Sponsors

University of Lausanne Hospitals
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

* Adults ≥18 years of age. * Patients who undergo abdominal surgery and develop postoperative ileus (POI) within 30 days. * Provided general consent for participation.

Exclusion criteria

* Preoperative bowel obstruction. * Anastomotic leak. * Prophylactic nasogastric tube (NGT) placement. * Pregnancy. * Lack of general consent.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Feasibility of the I-MAP AlgorithmFrom surgery until resolution of postoperative ileus (up to 30 days).Proportion of eligible patients with postoperative ileus who are managed according to the standardized Ileus Management Protocol (I-MAP). A protocol adherence rate of ≥85% is considered indicative of feasibility.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Nasogastric Tube (NGT) ReinsertionFrom surgery until resolution of postoperative ileus (up to 30 days).Number and proportion of patients requiring reinsertion of the nasogastric tube after initial removal.
Duration of Nasogastric Tube PlacementFrom initial placement until final removal, during index hospital stay, up to 30 days.Total number of days the nasogastric tube remained in place for each patient.
Hospital Length of Stay (LOS)From day of surgery until discharge, up to 30 days.Total number of days spent in hospital after surgery, including any delays related to postoperative ileus management.
Conservative Treatment FailureFrom initiation of conservative treatment until resolution of ileus or re-intervention, up to 30 days after surgery.Proportion of patients in whom conservative management per I-MAP failed, requiring additional interventions
Postoperative Ileus-Related ComplicationsFrom initiation of conservative treatment until resolution of ileus, up to 30 days after surgery.Incidence of complications potentially related to postoperative ileus, including pneumonia, bronchoaspiration, and other adverse events associated with POI management.

Countries

Switzerland

Outcome results

None listed

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