People who have an emergency abdominal operation often find that their gut ‘goes on strike’ afterwards.

This means it stops working for a few days, usually two or three but sometimes five or more.

During this time, they can’t eat or drink.

Doctors can give nutrition through a drip into a vein.

This is called Parenteral Nutrition, or PN.

It is usually only used if someone is likely to go five days or more without food or drink.

Doctors aren’t sure whether it’s better to start this earlier or wait for the body to settle after surgery.

We know that people who can’t eat or drink for several days after surgery have a higher risk of complications such as infections.

This study aims to find out whether starting PN earlier can help reduce that risk.

If you decide to take part, you’ll be asked to sign a consent form.

We’ll collect some information about your health, nutrition, and quality of life.

You’ll still have your operation as planned.

After surgery, you’ll be placed in one of two groups.

One group will start feeding through a drip into a vein.

To do this, we’ll place a line in your arm and check it with an x-ray.

We’ll check your blood and adjust the feed if needed.

Feeding will start within two days and stop once your gut is working again.

The other group will receive usual care.

This means waiting until your gut starts working before you eat or drink.

If your gut hasn’t recovered after five days PN may be started then.

Before you leave hospital we’ll check for any problems and ask you to do a sit-to-stand test.

You’ll also be asked to fill in some short questionnaires.

We’ll contact you again 30 and 90 days after surgery to ask about your recovery and any follow-up care.

Taking part is voluntary and you can stop at any time without giving a reason.

If you decide not to take part, or change your mind later, this will not affect your care.

If you would like more information, please speak to a member of the study team.