From the Guidelines
Burping after bowel surgery is a normal and expected occurrence as your digestive system recovers, and you should not try to suppress these burps as they help release gas that accumulates in your stomach and intestines during the healing process. After bowel surgery, your intestines temporarily slow down (called postoperative ileus), which can cause gas buildup, as noted in the ESPEN guideline on clinical nutrition in surgery 1. The anesthesia used during surgery also slows gut motility, and air may have been introduced into your abdomen during the procedure. To manage excessive burping, try eating smaller, more frequent meals rather than large ones, and avoid carbonated beverages and using straws which can introduce more air. Walking as soon as your doctor permits helps stimulate bowel function and move gas through your system.
Some studies suggest that early oral nutrition, including clear liquids on the first or second postoperative day, does not cause impairment of healing of anastomoses in the colon or rectum, and leads to significantly shortened hospital length of stay 1. However, the amount of initial oral intake should be adapted to the state of gastrointestinal function and to individual tolerance 1. It's also important to note that chewing gum has been shown to be safe and beneficial in restoring gut activity after colorectal surgery, although the evidence level for this is low 1.
If burping becomes painful, excessive, or is accompanied by severe abdominal distension, vomiting, fever, or inability to pass gas or stool, contact your healthcare provider immediately as these could indicate complications like bowel obstruction. Most post-surgical burping resolves within a few days to a week as your digestive system returns to normal function. Key points to consider include:
- Eating smaller, more frequent meals
- Avoiding carbonated beverages and straws
- Walking as soon as possible to stimulate bowel function
- Considering chewing gum to help restore gut activity
- Monitoring for signs of complications and seeking medical attention if necessary.
From the FDA Drug Label
Giving a promotility drug such as metoclopramide theoretically could put increased pressure on suture lines following a gut anastomosis or closure The FDA drug label does not answer the question about burping post op bowel surgery.
From the Research
Burping Post Op Bowel Surgery
- There is limited research directly addressing burping post op bowel surgery.
- However, studies have investigated the management of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and the use of prokinetic agents to enhance gastrointestinal motility 2, 3, 4.
- Erythromycin has been used as a prokinetic agent to prevent recurrence of small bowel obstruction in patients with terminal illness, and it may be considered as an alternative to metoclopramide and domperidone 5.
- The Fourth Consensus Guidelines for the Management of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting provide recommendations for identifying high-risk patients, managing baseline PONV risks, and choices for prophylaxis and rescue treatment of PONV 2.
- Domperidone, a dopamine-2 receptor antagonist, has been shown to be effective in treating gastrointestinal motility disorders and emesis, with a favorable safety profile compared to metoclopramide 3, 4.
- Antiemetic drugs, including serotonin and neurokinin antagonists, can be effective in treating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, while metoclopramide and antihistamines are first-line options for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy 6.