Ultra-early postoperative feeding and its impact on reducing endovenous fluids.

Objective: To investigate the use of "ultra-early" postoperative feeding (oral liquid diet offered in the post-anesthetic recovery room) in patients undergoing common general surgical procedures and to assess the volume of intravenous fluids, as well as the rate of complications and the length of hospital stay.

Methods: Prospective, observational study, which assessed the compliance with the "ultra-early" feeding, the reduction of preoperative fasting time, the perioperative venous hydration volume, the length of stay and the operative morbidity.

Results: 154 patients with a mean age of 46 ± 15 years were followed.