Post operative ileus (POI), a temporary paralysis of the intestines, is a serious health care problem. It normally occurs in all patients after surgery to the abdomen but in some cases can result in serious complications. The objective of this study is to determine if inhaling very low doses of carbon monoxide (CO) before and after colon surgery will shorten the duration of normal POI and/or prevent the development of POI complications in patients undergoing colon surgery. A preliminary study will be conducted in six healthy volunteers to monitor for blood levels and adverse effects that occur at 3 different doses of inhaled CO to establish a safe dose for patients in the main trial. For the main trial, patients requiring surgery to their colon will be assigned randomly to receive one hour treatments of either CO or oxygen by face mask before and after their operation. Length of normal POI and occurrence of POI complications will be compared between the two groups. Side effects that occur from inhaling CO or oxygen will also be recorded. We hypothesize that inhaling CO before and after colon surgery will shorten the length of normal POI and decrease the occurrence of POI complications with minimal side effects.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
3
Concentration of Carbon Monoxide to be inhaled by patients will be determined in a safety trial performed in healthy volunteers prior to the commencement of this trial. Patients randomized to received inhaled carbon monoxide will receive this concentration by cushioned face mask for one hour prior to colon resection and for one hour after colon resection
Patients randomized to this intervention will receive this gas via cushioned face mask for one hour prior to colon resection and for one hour after colon resection
Kingston General Hospital
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Duration of post operative ileus (radiologic)
Time frame: 1 week
Incidence of pathological post operative ileus
Time frame: 1 week
Duration of post operative ileus (clinical)
Time frame: 1 week
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