Postoperative gum chewing after gynecologic laparoscopic surgery: a randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Recovery
• Evidence-Based Medicine

Background:

• Postoperative ileus is a common complication following abdominal surgery.
• Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery utilizes laparoscopic techniques.
• Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols aim to optimize patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of postoperative gum chewing on restoring bowel motility.
• To assess the impact of gum chewing on patient recovery after laparoscopic gynecologic procedures.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial involving 179 patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecologic surgery.
• Intervention group chewed gum every 2 hours; control group received standard care.
• Primary outcomes: time to first bowel sounds and passage of flatus.

Main Results:

• Gum chewing group had a significantly shorter time to first flatus (6.2 vs. 8.1 hours).
• Higher incidence of regular bowel sounds at 3 and 5 hours post-surgery in the gum chewing group.
• Reduced need for opioid analgesics and no observed side effects in the intervention group.

Conclusions:

• Postoperative gum chewing is an effective adjunct for improving bowel motility after laparoscopic gynecologic surgery.
• This intervention is well-tolerated, accepted by patients, and associated with faster recovery.
• Gum chewing is recommended as part of postoperative care for these patients.