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01-04-2021 | Ileus | Surgery in Low and Middle Income Countries

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

Authors: Samiullah Bhatti, Yusra Jahangir Malik, Shabbar Hussain Changazi, Usman Ali Rahman, Awais Amjad Malik, Usman Ismat Butt, Muhammad Umar, Muhammad Waris Farooka, Mahmood Ayyaz

Published in: World Journal of Surgery | Issue 4/2021

Abstract

Background

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.

Patients and methods

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 6 h after the operation, Group A patients were asked to chew gum for 30 min every 8 h; 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.

Results

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).

Conclusion

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.

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Title: Role of Chewing Gum in Reducing Postoperative Ileus after Reversal of Ileostomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Samiullah Bhatti
Yusra Jahangir Malik
Shabbar Hussain Changazi
Usman Ali Rahman
Awais Amjad Malik
Usman Ismat Butt
Muhammad Umar
Muhammad Waris Farooka
Mahmood Ayyaz
Publication date: 01-04-2021
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keywords: Ileus
Enterostomy
Ileostomy
Enterostomy
Published in: World Journal of Surgery / Issue 4/2021
Print ISSN: 0364-2313
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2323
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-020-05897-1

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

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

Abstract

Background

Patients and methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Patients and methods

Results

Conclusion

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