Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs reduce the time to recovery of gut function after elective colorectal surgery: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract Aim Postoperative ileus causes significant patient morbidity after abdominal surgery. Some evidence suggests nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may reduce time to gut recovery, but there has not been a meta‐analysis to assess their efficacy. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to determine the benefit of NSAIDs for recovery of postoperative gut function in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. Method MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and reference lists were searched with no date or language restrictions. Randomized controlled trials comparing the use of NSAIDs with placebo in the perioperative or postoperative period were identified. Included studies reported outcomes relevant to gut function: time to pass flatus or stool and time to tolerate an oral diet. The mean difference in time from surgery until passage of flatus, stool and tolerance of diet were meta‐analysed using a random‐effects model in RevMan 5.3. Results This study identified 992 relevant articles. Five randomized controlled trials on patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery met our inclusion criteria and were meta‐analysed. Compared with placebo, NSAIDs significantly improved the time to pass flatus (mean difference −9.44 h, 95% CI: −17.22, −1.65, I2 = 70%, P = 0.02), time to pass stool (mean difference −12.09 h, 95% CI: −17.16, −7.02, I2 = 0%, P < 0.001) and time to tolerate a diet (mean difference −11.95 h, 95% CI: −18.66, −5.24, I2 = 0%, P < 0.001). Conclusion NSAIDs significantly improve time to gut recovery after elective colorectal surgery. Current evidence is not adequate to identify whether selective or nonselective drugs should be recommended. Further high‐power studies using selective drugs are required.