Effects of Gum Chewing on Recovery From Postoperative Ileus: A Randomized Clinical Trail.

Background: Sham feeding with products such as chewing gum has been theorized to decrease the incidence and time to resolution of postoperative ileus. The conflicting findings in the literature on this subject are because in part of the use of mixed study populations, which has led to difficulties in assessing the value of sham feeding in ameliorating this condition.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of postsurgical gum chewing in restoring normal bowel movement in patients with colorectal cancer who had undergone abdominal surgery for colon resection.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was used to examine the time to first postoperative flatus and defecation. The intervention group ( n = 30) received xylitol chewing gum on the first day after colon resection, one piece of gum for 15 minutes, 3 times daily, until the time to first flatus and defecation. Both the intervention and control groups ( n = 30) received standard postoperative care and were encouraged to walk as soon as possible after surgery. The time to first flatus was reported by patients.

Results: The time to first flatus and defecation in the intervention group was significantly shorter than that in the control group (39.13 ± 15.66 vs. 52.92 ± 21.97 hours and 54.55 ± 18.90 vs. 77.98 ± 34.59 hours, respectively). However, after controlling for age and surgical duration, only time to first flatus was significantly shorter in the intervention group. Significantly positive correlations were found between time to first flatus and time to first defecation in both groups.

Conclusions/implications for practice: In this study, gum chewing was shown to have a positive effect on the time to first postoperative flatus and defecation. This inexpensive and noninvasive intervention may be recommended to decrease the time to resolution of postsurgical ileus in middle-aged and older patients who have undergone open abdominal surgery for colorectal resection.