title: Influence of gum chewing on postoperative bowel activity after cesarean section.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effects of gum chewing on postoperative bowel function after cesarean section.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women who underwent cesarean section were randomized to either a gum-chewing group (n = 74) or a non-gum-chewing group (n = 76). The two groups were compared with respect to the return of bowel activity, postoperative analgesic and antiemetic drug requirement and postoperative hospital stay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bowel sounds appeared in a significantly shorter duration of time in the study group, the mean being 5.9 h as compared to 6.7 h in the control group (p < 0.01). The first passage of flatus postoperatively was 22.4 h in the gum-chewing group and 31 h in the control group (p < 0.001). The total length of hospital stay was shorter in the gum-chewing group (2.1 days) than in the control group (2.3 days), but it was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Postoperative analgesic requirement in both groups was similar, but the postoperative antiemetic need in the gum-chewing group was lower than in the control group (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On the basis of the tolerability and results on bowel function, gum chewing provides a simple method for early recovery of bowel function after cesarean section.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fatih University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey. hasankafali @ hotmail.com
authors: Hasan
authors: H
authors: Kafali
authors: Candan Iltemir
authors: CI
authors: Duvan
authors: Elif
authors: E
authors: Gözdemir
authors: Serap
authors: S
authors: Simavli
authors: Yüksel
authors: Y
authors: Onaran
authors: Esra
authors: E
authors: Keskin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section; D002638:Chewing Gum; D005260:Female; D005414:Flatulence; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D002638:Chewing Gum