In regards to the restoration of a normal diet, 2 studies reported these data [ 3 , 40 ] and showed a highly significant difference between the FT and TC groups, in favor of the FT group (MD [CI 95%] = −1.87 [−2.30, −1.44]; P < 0.00001, I 2 = 1%, Fig. 5 B). 3.5.8 Morbidity and mortality rates All of the selected studies reported these outcomes.
The 3rd study [ 38 ] described the length of postoperative ICU stay, which showed a trend toward decreased length of ICU stay in the FT group, but this was not statistically significant (1.2 ± 0.2 vs 1.3 ± 0.6 days; P = 0.08). 3.5.6 First bowel opening Two RCTs described this outcome [ 35 , 38 ] and showed that differences in the results between the FT and TC groups were statistically significant, where there was earlier bowel activity in the FT group (MD [CI 95%] = −0.98 [−1.26, −0.70]; P < 0.00001, I 2 = 0%, Fig. 5 A).