Does chewing gum improve recovery after an abdominal surgery?--First update

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Recovery
• Evidence-Based Medicine

Background:

• Postoperative ileus frequently delays patient recovery after abdominal surgery.
• Early intervention strategies are sought to accelerate gastrointestinal function post-surgery.
• Sham feeding with chewing gum is a potential method to stimulate peristalsis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To update the evidence summary on the efficacy of chewing gum for postoperative ileus.
• To evaluate the impact of sham feeding with chewing gum on recovery after abdominal surgery.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive search of the Epistemonikos database identified 18 systematic reviews.
• Evidence from 81 randomized trials was synthesized using meta-analysis.
• The GRADE approach was used to assess the quality of the evidence and summarize findings.

Main Results:

• Meta-analysis indicated that chewing gum likely reduces the length of hospital stay.
• The intervention supports the stimulation of peristalsis, facilitating earlier oral nutrition.
• Updated systematic reviews confirmed previous findings on the benefits of chewing gum.

Conclusions:

• Chewing gum is probably effective in reducing hospital stay duration following abdominal surgery.
• Early initiation of sham feeding with chewing gum appears beneficial for surgical recovery.
• This evidence supports the integration of chewing gum into postoperative care protocols.