Abstract Title:

Gum chewing stimulates early return of bowel motility after caesarean section.

Abstract Source:

BJOG. 2009 Sep;116(10):1334-9. Epub 2009 Jun 12. PMID: 19523094

Abstract Author(s):

K H I Abd-El-Maeboud, M I Ibrahim, D A A Shalaby, M F Fikry

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of postoperative gum chewing on the recovery of bowel motility after caesarean section. DESIGN: A randomised controlled study. SETTING: Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Egypt. POPULATION: A total of 200 pregnant women delivered by elective caesarean section (CS) under general anaesthesia. METHODS: Women were randomised into two groups; group A (93 women) who received one stick of sugarless gum for 15 minutes every 2 hours after surgery, and group B (107 women) had traditional management (oral intake of clear fluids allowed after passage of flatus and regular diet with the passage of bowel movement). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Time to first hearing of normal intestinal sounds, time to first flatus, time to first bowel movement and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: The mean duration of surgery was longer in group A (41.3 +/- 7.5 versus 38.4 +/- 8.1 minutes, P < 0.05). The mean postoperative time interval to first hearing of normal intestinal sounds (10.9 +/- 2.7 versus 15.6 +/- 3.7 hours), passage of flatus (17.9 +/- 4.6 versus 24.4 +/- 7.1 hours), defecation (21.1 +/- 4.7 versus 30 +/- 8.2 hours) and discharge from the hospital (40.8 +/- 10.6 versus 50.5 +/- 8.9 hours) were significantly shorter in group A (P < 0.001). Severe ileus occurred only in one woman belonging to group B. All patients in group A tolerated gum chewing beginning on the first postoperative day. CONCLUSION: Gum chewing after CS is safe, well tolerated, and associated with rapid resumption of intestinal motility and shorter hospital stay; with potential impact on reducing the overall healthcare costs in case of routine implementation.

Study Type : Human Study
Additional Links
Therapeutic Actions : Gum Chewing : CK(70) : AC(7)

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