Effects of Gum Chewing on Early Postoperative Recovery After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Surgery: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

In the early postoperative period after laparoscopic surgery, most patients experience decreased bowel activity and abdominal pain. Gum chewing can increase bowel movements through cephalic-vagal stimulation as a fake nutrition method and thus prevent ileus. This study aimed to investigate the effects of gum chewing on early postoperative recovery after laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery. A total of 106 patients, who underwent the laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery between April 2015 and April 2016, were randomized to the experimental and control groups. Patients in the experimental group chewed gum for 20 min at the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th hours after the surgery. The time to the first flatulence, defecation, mobilization and discharge, and postoperative pain level were recorded. In comparison with the control group, the experimental group had significantly shorter times to flatulence, defecation mobilization, discharge, and less pain (p =.001 for all). In conclusion, postoperative gum chewing has a beneficial effect on the parameters of early postoperative recovery after laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery. © 2020, Association of Surgeons of India.