Review: chewing gum after abdominal surgery reduces time to return of bowel function but not length of hospital stay.

摘要

There is much interest in enhancing bowel function and recovery after abdominal surgery and potentially decreasing length of hospital stay.1 Purkayastha ef al report results of a meta-analysis of randomised trials evaluating the effect of chewing gum on return to normal bowel function after colectomy. They found a decrease in time to first flatus and bowel movement; however, the decrease in length of hospital stay was not statistically significant. Since time to return to normal bowel function (first flatus or bowel movement) often determines length of hospital stay, one would also expect to see a significant decrease in the latter outcome. Only 4 of 5 trials measured length of hospital stay, and although the observed reduction was not statistically significant, such a difference would be clinically important; more research is needed. Any decrease in length of hospital stay could benefit both patients and institutions.