Bowel rhythm in the lung transplant patient

Abstract

Introduction

Lung transplantation is the option for patients with end-stage respiratory pathology. Among the acute post-surgical complications, constipation is novel and relevant, as it has been little studied. Knowing the incidence of patients with constipation during post-implantation allows the creation of an adequate care plan. Several authors relate it to poor postoperative prognosis.

Methodology

Descriptive, longitudinal and retrospective study. Target population: lung transplanted patients in a tertiary hospital with an ICU stay ≥3 days.

Main variable

Presence of constipation. Sociodemographic, clinical and pharmacological variables related to the patient’s bowel rhythm were collected. Prior authorization was obtained from the hospital research committee.

Results

44 transplanted patients were analyzed. The mean age was 52.75 ± 13.05 years, 59,1% were male. The 45,4% were overweight-obese. The main diagnosis is COPD. The majority were bipulmonary (88,6%). Constipation was between 97,7% and 67,9%. The median stool onset is 7,40 days. Prokinetics were introduced prophylactically in a median of 4 days and laxatives in 3 days. Enteral nutrition was introduced early in only 6,8% of patients.

Conclusions

A high percentage of lung transplanted patients present constipation; prophylaxis by means of prokinetics and laxatives is early, although enteral nutrition is not introduced early; it is necessary to review the nutritional protocol to avoid constipation.