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Oral Lactulose for Gastrointestinal Recovery After Complex Appendectomy

Oral Lactulose for Postoperative Gastrointestinal Recovery After Complex Appendectomy: A Prospective Triple-Blind Placebo-Controlled Single-Center Randomized Trial

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07589465
Enrollment
150
Registered
2026-05-15
Start date
2026-04-30
Completion date
2027-06-30
Last updated
2026-05-15

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

Conditions

Ileus Postoperative, Gastrointestinal Function, Complicated Appendicitis

Brief summary

This is a prospective, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, single-center randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of early oral lactulose for promoting postoperative gastrointestinal functional recovery in patients undergoing appendectomy for complicated appendicitis. Eligible patients aged ≥18 years with complicated appendicitis confirmed by preoperative SAS 2.0 score, intraoperative findings, or postoperative pathology will be randomly assigned 1:1 to receive oral lactulose or placebo on postoperative day 1 and day 2. The primary outcome is time to GI-2 (time from surgery to the later of first defecation or first tolerance of solid food). Secondary outcomes include time to first flatus, defecation rate within 72 hours, postoperative nausea and vomiting, length of hospital stay, medical costs, postoperative complications, and lactulose-related adverse events. A total of 150 patients will be enrolled. This study aims to provide high-level evidence for optimizing postoperative management in patients with complicated appendicitis.

Interventions

Lactulose oral solution 20mL on postoperative day 1, 20mL on postoperative day 2. If no flatus or defecation by postoperative day 3, continue 20 mL once daily until gastrointestinal function recovery.

DRUGPlacebo

Placebo (5% glucose solution) 20 mL on postoperative day 1 and 20 mL on postoperative day 2. Matching appearance, volume, and schedule with lactulose.

Sponsors

Nanchong Central Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER_GOV

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

* 1.Age ≥18 years.2.Complicated appendicitis confirmed by SAS2.0 score, intraoperative findings, or pathology.3.Undergoing appendectomy (open or laparoscopic).4.Able to provide informed consent and comply with follow-up.

Exclusion criteria

* 1.Preoperative intestinal obstruction, IBD, or intestinal tumor.2.Planned postoperative fasting \>48 hours.3.Hypersensitivity to lactulose or placebo.4.Severe organ dysfunction (ASA ≥IV).5.Pregnancy or lactation.6.Cognitive or psychiatric disorder impairing follow-up.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
Time to GI-2 (hours): time from end of surgery to the later of first defecation (≥50 g) or first tolerance of solid diet without vomiting or abdominal distension.Up to 7 days postoperatively

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Time to first flatus after surgeryUp to 30 days postoperatively
Defecation rate within 72 hours postoperativelyUp to 30 days postoperatively
Length of postoperative hospital stayUp to 30 days postoperatively
Postoperative abdominal pain VAS score on days 1, 3, and 7Up to 30 days postoperatively
Incidence of postoperative ileusUp to 30 days postoperatively
Incidence of postoperative nausea and vomitingUp to 30 days postoperatively

Countries

China

Contacts

CONTACTTian YunHong
drtianyunhong@126.com86+13508087719

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: May 16, 2026