[The effect of prostaglandin F2 alpha on the gastrointestinal movement after urological surgery].

To facilitate postoperative flatus, Prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) was given intravenously to 23 patients who underwent urological operations. The patients were 14 males and 6 females aged from 20 to 77 years old. Patients with hypertension or cardiovascular disease were not included. Twelve operations were performed under general anesthesia, and 8 under epidural anesthesia. Thirteen operations were performed for the upper urinary tract or adrenal gland, and 5 were for the lower urinary tract. In 2 cases, the peritoneal cavity was opened and operations were performed on the intestines. PGF2 alpha 2000 micrograms was added to the postoperative drip infusion and administered in 2 to 3 hours. Until the first flatus was recognized, PGF2 alpha was given once a day in the same manner. Twenty-six patients, 10 of whom were given either vagostigmine or pantothen postoperatively, served as the control group. PGF2 alpha accelerated the postoperative flatus by 8.7 hours (mean) compared with the control group, but it was not significant. The onset of flatus was significantly promoted under epidural anesthesia. Gastrointestinal movement tended to be facilitated in the PGF2 alpha group after lower urinary tract surgery and in the patients over 50 years old. Three patients complained of severe abdominal pain as a side effect; and, injection of PGF2 alpha was stopped. In 7 patients, mild stomachache , vascular pain, nausea, vomiting or elevation of blood pressure were observed.