From the Guidelines
Yes, patients can resume eating after Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) catheter removal without restrictions, and they should be allowed a normal diet after surgery without interruptions, as long as they are informed about the potential of impaired gut function in the early postoperative period. The most recent and highest quality study, published in 2017 in the Clinical Nutrition journal 1, recommends that oral nutritional intake shall be continued after surgery without interruption, with a strong consensus of 90% agreement. This approach is also supported by a previous study from 2012 1, which concluded that early oral intake in patients undergoing elective PD is feasible and safe, and that enteral tube feeding did not confer benefit. Some key points to consider when resuming eating after PD catheter removal include:
- Starting with clear liquids and gradually progressing to a normal diet as tolerated
- Staying well-hydrated and including fiber in the diet to minimize gastrointestinal discomfort
- Being aware of the potential for temporary constipation or bloating
- Contacting a healthcare provider immediately if severe nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain occur after eating. Overall, the evidence suggests that resuming eating after PD catheter removal can be done safely and without restrictions, as long as patients are properly informed and monitored.
From the Research
Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Removal and Resumption of Eating
- The provided studies do not directly address the question of resuming eating after Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) catheter removal 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, studies on pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) suggest that early oral feeding can enhance recovery without increasing morbidity 5.
- A systematic review of feeding routes after PD found that an oral diet may be considered as the preferred routine feeding strategy after PD, with normal oral intake established most quickly in the oral diet group 2.
- Enhanced recovery after surgery protocols for PD emphasize the importance of early advancement of oral diet and multimodal analgesia to reduce postoperative complications and promote faster recovery 3.
- There is limited evidence on the specific topic of eating after PD catheter removal, and more research is needed to provide a definitive answer 6.