Early on-demand drinking to relieve thirst after urological endoscopy

Effectiveness of Early Oral Hydration in Relieving Postoperative Thirst in Patients Undergoing Urological Endoscopic Procedures: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This test sees if allowing adults to drink on demand in the recovery room reduces thirst and improves satisfaction after elective urological endoscopic procedures.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 200 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Karachi, Sindh)
• Trial ID: NCT07563530 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Postoperative thirst is a common discomfort after urological endoscopic procedures but oral intake is often delayed due to concerns about nausea and aspiration. In this interventional trial, participants are randomized to early on-demand oral hydration in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) versus standard delayed hydration per PACU protocol. Eligible patients are adults 18–65 scheduled for elective day-case urological endoscopy under general anesthesia (ASA I–III), with exclusions for gastrointestinal contraindications, swallowing dysfunction, inability to communicate, need for nasogastric suction, recent facial/oropharyngeal surgery, or incomplete reversal of muscle relaxants. Primary outcomes include patient-reported thirst relief and satisfaction, with monitoring for nausea, vomiting, aspiration, and other adverse events.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–65 undergoing elective, day-case urological endoscopic procedures under general anesthesia who are ASA I–III and can swallow and communicate are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with gastrointestinal disorders that contraindicate early drinking, swallowing dysfunction, inability to communicate, requirement for nasogastric suction, incomplete reversal of anesthesia, or those outside the 18–65 age range may not receive benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients could get faster relief from thirst and a more comfortable recovery without added complications.

How similar studies have performed: Previous small trials in ambulatory surgery have shown early oral hydration can safely reduce thirst and improve satisfaction, though data specific to urological endoscopy remain limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male and female patients aged 18-65 years.
2. Scheduled for elective urological endoscopic procedures under general anesthesia.
3. Day-care endoscopic procedures.
4. ASA classification I-III.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Known gastrointestinal disorders contraindicating early oral hydration (e.g., peptic ulcer disease, hiatal hernia, irritable bowel syndrome, esophagitis, or prior gastrointestinal surgery).
2. Inability to express thirst or communicate (e.g., language barrier, altered consciousness).
3. Requirement for nasogastric suction.
4. History of facial, oropharyngeal, or laryngeal surgery.
5. Swallowing dysfunction or delayed gastric emptying (e.g., gastroparesis).
6. Incomplete reversal of muscle relaxant at PACU admission (no adequate spontaneous breathing or protective airway reflexes).

Where this trial is running

Karachi, Sindh

• Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation — Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Muhammad M Abbas, FCPS — Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation
• Study coordinator: Muhammad M Abbas, FCPS

Conditions Thirst; Due to Deprivation of Water; Patient Satisfaction; Postoperative; Oral Hydration; Satisfaction