First flatus time and xerostomia associated with gum-chewing after liver resection.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare the return of bowel function and xerostomia in patients who were and were not instructed to chew gum after elective open liver resection.


BACKGROUND
Patients who undergo liver resection have limited early ambulation, because they require bed rest after surgery to prevent internal bleeding. They normally also require narcotic analgesics or patient-controlled analgesia for pain control. For these reasons, they often have symptoms of intestinal gas accumulation, abdominal distension and/or abdominal pain.


METHODS
Prospective case-control study.


METHODS
Forty-two patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who were treated at Samsung Medical Center from September 2010 to February 2011 were included in this study. Patients who were scheduled for elective liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma and were over 30 years of age were eligible. Patients were assigned to a gum-chewing group or a non-gum-chewing (control) group before surgery.


RESULTS
The mean age of the gum-chewing group was 54·9 (±9·7) years, and the mean age of the control group was 55·1 (±8·4) years. The mean values of first flatus time and xerostomia were higher in the control group than in the gum-chewing group. First flatus time and xerostomia grade were significantly decreased in gum-chewing group compared with the control group after adjustment for hospitalisation days, duration of surgery and amount of analgesics administered.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients who were instructed to chew gum after surgery demonstrated faster bowel function recovery and lower xerostomia grade after elective open liver resection than patients who did not chew gum.


CONCLUSIONS
Gum-chewing is an inexpensive, helpful adjunct to standard postoperative care after liver resection.
Cardiovascular Imaging Center, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
Shin Yi
SY
Jang
Eun Young
EY
Ju
Dae-Eun
DE
Kim
Ji Hye
JH
Kim
Yoon Hee
YH
Kim
Mina
M
Son
Mija
M
Jang
Jeong Hee
JH
Jeong
Kyeong Sug
KS
Kim
D000328:Adult; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000601:surgery*; D002638:Chewing Gum; D005260:Female; D005414:Flatulence; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D056910:Republic of Korea; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014987:Xerostomia
D002638:Chewing Gum