A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on the efficacy of ginger in the prevention of abdominal distention in post cesarean section patients

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of ginger in the prevention of abdominal distention in post cesarean section patients. A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial was conducted. One hundred and seventy-eight post cesarean section patients were either randomized to the study group receiving oral ginger capsules or to the placebo group receiving oral placebo capsules. The average age of the studied women was 32.3 years. The incidence of postoperative abdominal distention was not different between the ginger and the placebo groups (20.2% vs 29.2%, p = 0.328). The efficacy to relieve abdominal distention was superior in the ginger group than the placebo group (91% vs 65.2%, p < 0.001). With regards to quality of life, the number of patients who had the ability to eat was higher in the ginger group than in the placebo group (59.6% vs 43.8%, p = 0.035). There were no significant differences in time to first flatus, maternal satisfaction, and side effects. Ginger does not decrease the incidence of post cesarean section abdominal distention. But, ginger is more effective than the placebo in relieving the severity of abdominal distention on the fourth day after operation and improving the ability to eat.