Abstract
A synopsis of the latest research on the perioperative use of chewing gum by surgical patients is presented, focusing on the preoperative and postoperative periods. Current data now suggest that the preoperative use of chewing gum does not adversely affect gastric emptying and that the postoperative use of chewing gum may actually aid recovery from some forms of major surgery. Additionally, the use of chewing gum may increase alertness and serve to reduce stress, as well as offer important oral health benefits.
Highlights
Commercialization of chewing gum took place around 170 years ago. This brief review presents a synopsis of the latest research on the use of chewing gum by surgical patients, focusing on the preoperative and postoperative periods
It appears that the preoperative use of chewing gum does not adversely affect gastric emptying and that the postoperative use of chewing gum may aid bowel recovery following some forms of major surgery
The best known of these syndromes are aspiration pneumonitis (Mendelson's syndrome in Fig. (1)), which is principally a chemi-cal injury to the lung parenchyma, and aspiration pneumonia, which is an infectious process related the inhalation of oropharyngeal secretions rich in pathogenic bacteria
Summary
Commercialization of chewing gum took place around 170 years ago. This brief review presents a synopsis of the latest research on the use of chewing gum by surgical patients, focusing on the preoperative and postoperative periods. It appears that the preoperative use of chewing gum does not adversely affect gastric emptying and that the postoperative use of chewing gum may aid bowel recovery following some forms of major surgery
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