Chewing Gum to Improve Gut Recovery After Open Gastrointestinal Surgery A Randomized Trial at Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effect of chewing gum on the early recovery of gastrointestinal movement in patients undergoing open gastrointestinal surgery. The study focuses on postoperative ileus, a common complication after abdominal surgery that causes delayed bowel function, longer hospital stays, and increased discomfort. This randomized controlled trial aims to determine whether chewing gum can speed up the return of normal gut activity after surgery. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group will chew glucose-containing chewing gum starting six hours after surgery for 15 minutes, three times a day, for up to 48 hours or until they pass gas or stool. The control group will receive standard postoperative care without chewing gum. Both groups will be monitored to compare the recovery of bowel function. During the study, researchers will track the time it takes for participants to first hear bowel sounds and for them to pass gas and have a bowel movement within 48 hours after surgery. Participants will receive regular postoperative care, and their recovery will be carefully observed to assess how chewing gum influences gut motility. The study will follow participants from the time of surgery through the first two days of recovery.

Impact of Chewing Gum on Postoperative Gut Motility in Gastrointestinal Surgery Patients