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Session:: ePosters-Sat-M2: Quality and Cost

EP127 - The Impact of Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists on Recovery of Bowel Function Following Colorectal Surgery

Saturday, May 9, 2026
3:58 PM - 4:03 PM ET

    ePoster Presenter(s)

  • Marco Zoccali, MD

    Colorectal surgeon
    Columbia University
    Columbia University
    New York, NY, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

    • Author(s)

  • Amirbahador Abbasi, MD, MPH

    Postdoctoral Research Fellow
    Global Center for Integrated Colorectal Surgery & IBD Interventional Endoscopy Columbia University Irving Medical Center / New York Presbyterian Hospital
    Columbia University Irving Medical Center / New York Presbyterian Hospital
    New York, NY, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • Usama Ahmed Ali, MD, MSc, PhD

    Assistant Professor of Surgery
    Global Center for Integrated Colorectal Surgery & IBD Interventional Endoscopy Columbia University Irving Medical Center / New York Presbyterian Hospital
    New York, NY, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • JC

    James M. Church, MD

    Professor of Surgery
    Global Center for Integrated Colorectal Surgery & IBD Interventional Endoscopy Columbia University Irving Medical Center / New York Presbyterian Hospital
    Leola, Pennsylvania, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

    • Senior Author(s)

  • RK

    Ravi P. Kiran, MD

    Professor of Surgery
    Global Center for Integrated Colorectal Surgery & IBD Interventional Endoscopy Columbia University Irving Medical Center / New York Presbyterian Hospital
    New York, New York, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

Purpose/Background: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), widely used for type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity, are known to delay gastric emptying and inhibit gastrointestinal motility. Concerns have arisen regarding their potential impact on postoperative bowel function recovery after gastrointestinal surgery. Limited data exist evaluating this relationship in the perioperative setting. This study aimed to assess whether perioperative GLP-1RA use is associated with delayed return of bowel function and postoperative complications after colorectal surgery.

Methods/Interventions: A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database and electronic medical record (EMR) was performed, including adults undergoing colorectal resection between 2020-2025. Patients were grouped by perioperative GLP-1RA use. Baseline demographics, operative variables, and 30-days postoperative outcomes were compared. Statistical analysis used chi-square/Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables and t-test/Mann-Whitney U tests for continuous variables, with p< 0.05 considered significant.

Results/Outcomes: Of 204 patients, 27 (13.2%) received perioperative GLP-1RAs. Groups were similar in age (median 64 vs. 69 years, p=0.13) and gender (59.3% vs. 50.3% female, p=0.39); GLP-1RA patients had higher body mass index (30.6 vs. 27.5 kg/m², p=0.01). Operative approach, wound classification, surgery time, and estimated blood loss did not differ. Median length of stay (LOS) was comparable (3 [IQR 2-5.5] vs. 3 [IQR 2-7] days, p=0.10). No significant difference was observed in time to first flatus (2 [1.5-4] vs. 2 [1-3] days, p=0.54), first bowel movement (2 [1-3] vs. 2 [1-3] days, p=0.58), or first oral intake (1 [0-1] vs. 1 [0-1] days, p=0.44). Rates of postoperative ileus (0% vs. 9.6%, p=0.14), oral intake intolerance (14.8% vs. 20.3%, p=0.61), obstruction (0% vs. 1.7%, p=1.00), readmission (3.7% vs. 12.4%, p=0.32), and reoperation (0% vs. 2.8%, p=1.00) were also similar.

Conclusion/Discussion: In this single-institution study, perioperative GLP-1RA use was not associated with delayed bowel function recovery, prolonged LOS, or increased postoperative complications following colorectal surgery. Despite theoretical concerns regarding gastrointestinal motility inhibition, our findings suggest that GLP-1RAs do not adversely affect short-term surgical recovery. Larger multicenter analyses are warranted to validate these findings and guide perioperative management.

Table 1. Baseline characteristics and postoperative outcomes in GLP-1RA vs. non-GLP-1RA patients.
BMI = body mass index; IQR = interquartile range; LOS = length of stay; GLP-1 = glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist.