Abstract
Hypothesis: It is suggested that chewing gum may accelerate postoperative intestinal transit recovery. Chewing gum may therefore produce the same result after open appendectomy. Design and setting: Prospective, randomized study in a University teaching hospital.Patients: 46 patients operated on by open appendectomy due to acute catarrhal appendicitis, appendicular abscess and appendicular generalized peritonitis.Main outcome measures: Interest was in occurrence of first flatus, first bowel movement, hospital duration and complications.Results: A total of 46 patients were randomly divided into two groups: a chewing gum group (n = 23) and a control group (n = 23). In the first group, patients chewed sugarless gum for 30 minutes thrice daily until resumption of intestinal transit. Patient demographics, intra-operative, and postoperative care were the same for both groups. Chewing gum was well tolerated by all the patients.The first passage of flatus occurred on postoperative day 2.2 in the gum-chewing group and on day 3.0 in the control group (P < 0.0001). The first bowel movement occurred at postoperative day 2.3 in the chewing gum group and at postoperative day 3.3 in the control group (P < 0.0001). Five complications were noted overall. Hospital stay was shorter in the chewing gum group (4.9 days.) than in the control group (6.7 days), (P < 0.0001).Conclusion: Chewing gum ameliorates recovery after open appendectomy by reducing postoperative ileus. It is a cheap and helpful treatment to be recommended in developing countries in Africa.
Published Version
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