Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of combining early nasogastric tube (NGT) removal and metoclopramide after postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) in decreasing complications, time to diet tolerance, and discharge.
Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 31 patients who underwent postchemotherapy RPLND at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center between 1994 and 1996, who were treated with a clinical care pathway that included NGT removal on postoperative day 1 and immediate use of promotility agents such as metoclopramide. A comparison was made with 42 historic controls treated from 1988 to 1994 who were managed with an NGT until the return of flatus and minimal promotility agents.
Results: Both groups had comparable age, chemotherapy, and surgical procedures. The study group had fewer complications, with an earlier tolerance of solid food (median 5 +/- 2.5 days compared with 7 +/- 5.1 days in controls, P = 0.000) and discharge (median 6 +/- 2.6 days compared with 9 +/- 6.9 days in controls, P = 0.000). NGT replacement was required in 3.2% of study patients versus 9% of controls. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that the number of NGT days was an independent predictor of early return of bowel function and length of hospitalization (P = 0.000), and metoclopramide was not.
Conclusions: Early NGT removal combined with metoclopramide after postchemotherapy RPLND allowed earlier diet tolerance and shortened hospital stays without increased complications. The role that promotility agents play as a necessary component of safe, early NGT removal is unclear.