Effects of rhubarb on gut dysfunction of trauma/hemorrhagic shock patients

Objective To study the effects of rhubarb on gut dysfunction of trauma/hemorrhagic shock(T/HS) patients.Methods Ninety-eight patients with T/HS gut dysfunction were divided into 2 groups randomly: the treat ment group(n=45),treated with rhubarb,and the control group(n=53),the therapy unanimous with treat group excluding treat with rhubarb.The alleviative rate and time of gut dysfunction,morbidity and mortality of MODS in 2 groups were observed.Results In the treat ment group,the alleviative rate of gut dysfunction was higher than that of the control group(82% vs 36%);the continuance of gut dysfunction was shorter than that of the control group [(1.5±1.2)d,vs(5.8±3.0)d];the morbidity of MODS was lower than tnat of the control group(27% vs 70%).There was statistical difference between two groups(P0.05).The mortality of MODS in treat ment group was lower than tnat of the control group(17% vs 29%),though there were no statistical differences between two groups,the mortality of treat group was lower than that of the control group.Conclusion Rhubarb has the therapeutic effect on gut dysfunction of T/HS and reduces the morbidity and mortality of MODS.