Role Of Chewing Gum Research Articles

Role of Chewing Gum in Enhancing Post-Operative Recovery 0f Bowel Function after Lower Segment Cesarean Section

Background: The frequency of cesarean sections globally exceeds the World Health Organization's recommended rates, leading to an increased focus on postoperative recovery, particularly the restoration of gastrointestinal (GIT) function. The delayed return of intestinal activity, known as postoperative ileus, can extend hospital stays and elevate healthcare costs. Chewing gum has been proposed as a simple, non-pharmacological intervention to stimulate the GIT and potentially expedite recovery. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of chewing gum in improving GIT activity and recovery in patients following a cesarean section, contributing to the evidence base for postoperative care practices in obstetrics and gynecology. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative analytical study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, KRL Hospital Islamabad, from May 2021 to November 2021. Two hundred patients undergoing elective cesarean sections were divided into two groups: Group A (n=100), who received chewing gum postoperatively, and Group B (n=100), who did not. The primary outcomes measured were the time to first bowel sound, time to first flatus, and time to first defecation. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, with a significance level set at p≤0.05. Results: Group A demonstrated a significantly faster time to first bowel sound (3.75 ± 1.31 hours vs. 7.01 ± 1.94 hours, p=0.001), first flatus (7.97 ± 1.96 hours vs. 14.75 ± 3.57 hours, p=0.001), and first defecation (32.37 ± 3.56 hours vs. 48.20 ± 6.06 hours, p=0.001) compared to Group B. These findings were consistent across age stratifications, with significant improvements in GIT recovery times in younger (18-25 years) and older (26-35 years) subsets of patients. Conclusion: Chewing gum post-cesarean section significantly accelerates the recovery of GIT functions, reducing the time to first bowel sound, flatus, and defecation. This study supports the inclusion of chewing gum as a low-cost, effective method in postoperative care protocols for cesarean section patients, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

Effect of Chewing Gum on Duration of Postoperative Ileus Following Laparotomy for Gastroduodenal Perforations: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Prolonged post-operative ileus is associated with increased risk of other complications, length of hospital stays and health care related costs. Chewing gum has been shown to reduce duration of ileus in many elective surgeries, but there is a paucity of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on its effect on duration of ileus among patients undergoing emergency surgery, specifically patients with peritonitis. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of chewing gum on duration of postoperative ileus following laparotomy for gastroduodenal perforations. This will be a randomised controlled trial done in 3 hospitals. Fifty-two patients will be randomised to 2 groups. Group A will receive chewing gum in addition to routine care, whereas group B will receive routine care only. The duration of post-operative ileus in the two groups which is the primary outcome, will be compared using the independent samples t-test in SPSS version 22. The length of hospital stay, in-hospital morbidity and mortality will be the secondary outcomes. This trial has been approved by Kampala International University research and Ethics committee (Ref No. KIU-2021-60) and Uganda national council of science and technology (Ref No. HS1665ES). Retrospective registration with the research registry has also been done (UIN: researchregistry8565). Prolonged post-operative ileus significantly contributes to adverse surgical outcomesChewing gum has been shown to reduce duration of ileus in many elective surgeriesThere is paucity of RCTs on role of chewing gum following surgery for peritonitis.

The Role of Chewing Gum on Post-operative Bowel Recovery after Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgery: A Short Report and Updated Review

BACKGROUND: Adverse post-operative complication of gynecological laparoscopic surgery, post-operative ileus, could be reduced by mimicking early post-operative oral feeding; however, the role of chewing gum is still lack evidence. AIM: This study was conducted to assess chewing gum’s role in post-operative bowel recovery after gynecological laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: This prospective clinical trial recruited 60 participants who had undergone gynecological laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia. The study was conducted at Arifin Achmad Hospital, Riau Province, Indonesia, from January to April 2021. The patients were equally divided into two groups: Intervention (n = 30) and control (n = 30). They were asked to chew sugar-free gum every 2 h after the surgery (i.e. 5 times within 10 h post-surgery). Time of the first flatus and the first bowel sounds were recorded (i.e. 5 times of assessment within 10 h post-surgery). In addition, a literature review was conducted to add evidence of the role of chewing gum on postoperative bowel recovery after gynecological laparoscopic surgery. RESULTS: Patients from both groups had a close age range (23–44-year-old versus 21–42-year-old). Our data suggested a significant difference in the time of the first flatus between the treatment and control group (15.95 h vs. 45.05 h), p < 0.001. The length of stay in the hospital among those from the treatment group was also significantly shorter compared to controls (15.50 h vs. 45.50 h), p < 0.001. The literature review of four updated randomized clinical trials suggests chewing gum in the early onset of first flatus and bowel movement. CONCLUSION: Chewing gum following gynecological laparoscopic surgery could accelerate gastrointestinal recovery.

Role of Chewing Gum in Reducing Postoperative Ileus after Reversal of Ileostomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Postoperative ileus is one of the most prevalent and troublesome problems after any elective or emergency laparotomy. Gum chewing has emerged as a new and simple modality for decreasing postoperative ileus. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of chewing gum in reducing postoperative ileus in terms of passage of flatus and total length of hospital stay. This single-blinded, randomized clinical trial was conducted in department of surgery, Services Hospital Lahore, between November 2013 and November 2015. The patients were divided into two groups: chewing gum (Group A) and no chewing gum (Group B). Starting 6h after the operation, Group A patients were asked to chew gum for 30min every 8h; bowel sounds, passage of flatus and total length of hospital stay were noted. Outcome measures such as passage of flatus and total length of hospital stay in patients undergoing reversal of ileostomy were compared using t-test. Mean age of the patients in Group A was 26.12 (± 7.1) years and in Group B was 28.80 (± 10.5) years. There were 25 males (50%) and 25 females (50%) in Group A. In Group B, there were 29 males (58%) and 21 females (42%). Mean BMI in Group A was 23.5 (± 5.3), and in Group B was 21.4 (± 4.6). The mean time to pass flatus was noted to be significantly shorter, 18.36 (± 8.43) hours, in the chewing group (Group A), whereas in the no chewing gum group (Group B), it was 41.16 (± 6.14) hours (p value < 0.001). The mean length of hospital stay was significantly shorter 84 (± 8.3) hours in the chewing gum group (Group A) as compared to 107.04 (± 6.4) hours in the no chewing gum group (Group B) (p value 0.000). It is concluded that postoperative chewing of gum after the reversal of ileostomy is accompanied with a significantly shorter time to passage of flatus and shorter length of hospital stay.

GUM chewing decreases the duration of postoperative ileus after ileostomy reversal: A single center experience.

Post-operative ileus is a common compliant of patients at surgical floor. Studies have reported that gums chewing after abdominal surgeries decrease postoperative ileus (POI); but very few studies are available on role of chewing gum in ileostomy reversal cases. We concluded that post-operative gum chewing with standard post-operative care in patients undergoing elective surgery for ileostomy closure done for typhoid ileal perforation in terms of mean length of hospital stay and mean time of passage of first flatus is significantly better than those without gum chewing. Objectives: To compare post-operative gum chewing with standard care in cases having elective ileostomy closure in terms of mean length of hospital stay and mean time of passage of first flatus. Study Design: Randomized Control Trial. Setting: Department of Surgery, Allied Hospital Faisalabad. Period: 1st January 2017 to 31st December 2017. Material &amp; Methods: Patients of 20 to 60 years undergoing elective surgery for typhoid ileal perforation were included in the study after informed consent. Two groups with A: allocated to chewing gum three times a day up to discharge; Control group: allocated to standard post-operative care without chew gum. Length of hospital stay and time of passage of first flatus was noted. Results: In this study, mean length of hospital stay in Chewing gum group was 7.73+0.74 days and 10.27+0.87 days in Control group, p value was 0.0001, mean time of passage of first flatus in Chewing gum group was 49.97+1.69 hrs and 89.17+2.07 hrs in Control group, p value was 0.0001. Conclusion: We concluded that post-operative gum chewing with standard post-operative care in patients undergoing elective surgery for ileostomy closure done for typhoid ileal perforation in terms of mean length of hospital stay and mean time of passage of first flatus is significantly better than those without gum chewing.