10-day versus 6-week low-residue diet after colon resection with an anastomosis

Early Introduction of Regular Diet Versus Extended Low Residue Restriction After Colon Surgery

NA · Northwell Health · NCT07083076

This study will test whether returning to a regular diet after 10 days instead of staying on a low-residue diet for 6 weeks helps people recover bowel function faster after elective colon resection with an anastomosis.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment222 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorNorthwell Health (other)
Locations2 sites (Manhasset, New York and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07083076 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults having elective colon resection with an anastomosis are randomized after surgery to either a 10-day or a 6-week low-residue diet restriction. Participants complete validated surveys on bowel function and health-related quality of life before surgery and at 1 week, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months after surgery. The trial tracks time to return of normal bowel function and compares complication rates, including anastomotic leakage, between the two groups. Patients with ostomies, emergency surgeries, or those not following the enhanced recovery protocol are excluded, and enrollment and follow-up occur at two Northwell Health hospitals in New York.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults undergoing elective colon resection with an anastomosis who will follow the standard enhanced recovery postoperative protocol and can attend follow-up at the study sites are eligible.

Not a fit: Patients who have an ostomy, emergency surgery, cannot follow the enhanced recovery protocol, are under 18, or belong to excluded vulnerable groups are unlikely to benefit from or be eligible for this comparison.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients could return to normal eating and bowel habits sooner and have better bowel-related quality of life without an increased risk of complications.

How similar studies have performed: Prior literature linking early stool burden to anastomotic risk is limited and variable, and the direct comparison of a 10-day versus 6-week low-residue period is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult patients who have elective colon resection with anastomosis

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients who have an ostomy as part of their surgery
* Patients who undergo emergency surgery
* Patients who do not follow the enhanced recovery protocol (the standard postoperative protocol for patients undergoing elective colon resection)
* Patients less than 18 years of age
* Vulnerable populations: fetuses, pregnant women, children, cognitively impaired, hospital employees, students, healthy controls, prisoners, and other institutionalized individuals

Where this trial is running

Manhasset, New York and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Colon Resection, postoperative diet, low residue diet, colon resection with anastomosis

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.