Effects of chewing gum on gastrointestinal function in patients with intraspinal tumors after surgery

Abstract

Objective To explore the effects of chewing gum on recovery of gastrointestinal function in patients with intraspinal tumors after surgery. Methods Totally 214 patients with intraspinal tumors treated in the Neurosurgical Ward of Spinal Cord and Spine of Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University from May 2018 to May 2019 were selected and divided into control (n=107) and observation (n=107) groups. Patients in the control group received conventional anti-constipation care, including postoperative dietary guidance, abdominal massage guidance and rehabilitation training, while patients in the observation group chewed 2 pieces of gum four times a day, each time for 10-15 min after awaking from anesthesia on the basis of conventional nursing care. Both groups received interventions for 7 d. The incidence of constipation and abdominal distension, time of first defecation and oral comfort scores after 7 d postoperatively. Results The incidence rate of constipation and abdominal distension was 7.48% and 15.89% in the observation group, lower than 25.23% and 37.38% in the control group, and there were statistically significant differences between the two groups (χ2=12.331, 12.650; P<0.05) . The time of first defecation was (19.22±5.64) h in the observation group, earlier than (27.08±6.61) in the control group, and there was statistically significant difference between the two groups (t=-9.366, P<0.05) . The oral comfort score after 7 d postoperatively was (8.59±1.13) in the observation group, higher than (5.12±2.66) in the control group, and there was statistically significant difference between the two groups (t=-12.420, P<0.05) . Conclusions Chewing gum can accelerate the recovery of gastrointestinal function in patients with intraspinal tumors after surgery and improve their oral comfort. Key words: Intraspinal neoplasms; Perioperative nursing; Fast track surgery; Gastrointestinal function; Gum