Influence of gum chewing on postoperative bowel activity after cesarean section.
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.
Kafali
Hasan
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fatih University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey. hasankafali @ hotmail.com
Duvan
Candan Iltemir
CI
Gözdemir
Elif
E
Simavli
Serap
S
Onaran
Yüksel
Y
Keskin
Esra
E
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
D002638:Chewing Gum