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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Chewing gum may help patients recover better from colon surgery.
Researchers from London say gum helps the intestines function better after surgery to remove all or part of the colon.
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The study analyzed data of 158 patients from five trials. In each one, a group of patients chewed sugarless gum after surgery for five to 45 minutes three times a day. They were compared to a group of patients who did not chew gum.
Results show those who chewed gum took an average of .66 fewer days to pass flatus (gas) and an average of 1.10 fewer days to have a bowel movement -- both signs of their intestinal function coming back.
Researchers say gum chewing may act as a kind of sham feeding, stimulating nerves in the digestive system that trigger the release of gastrointestinal hormones and increase the production of saliva and secretions from the pancreas.
In conclusion, we feel that the current evidence suggests that gum chewing following abdominal surgery offers significant benefits in reducing the time to resolution of ileus; however, the studies are insufficiently powered to identify a significant benefit in length of stay, the authors write.
SOURCE: Archives of Surgery, 2008;143:788-793
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