Does gum chewing reduce postoperative ileus following open colectomy for left-sided colon and rectal cancer? – a prospective randomized controlled trial

  1. H. M. Quah,
  2. A. Samad,
  3. A. J. Neathey,
  4. D. J. Hay,
  5. A. Maw

Article first published online: 9 DEC 2005

DOI: 10.1111/j.1463-1318.2005.00884.x

Issue

Colorectal Disease

Colorectal Disease

Volume 8, Issue 1, pages 64–70, January 2006

Additional Information

How to Cite

Quah, H. M., Samad, A., Neathey, A. J., Hay, D. J. and Maw, A. (2006), Does gum chewing reduce postoperative ileus following open colectomy for left-sided colon and rectal cancer? – a prospective randomized controlled trial. Colorectal Disease, 8: 64–70. doi: 10.1111/j.1463-1318.2005.00884.x

Author Information

  1. Department of Colorectal and General Surgery, Glan Clwyd Hospital, Rhyl, UK

*Mr Andrew Maw, Consultant Surgeon, Department of Colorectal and General Surgery, Glan Clwyd Hospital, Rhyl, Denbighshire LL18 5UJ, UK. E-mail: Andrew.Maw@cd-tr.wales.nhs.uk

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 9 DEC 2005
  2. Article first published online: 9 DEC 2005
  3. Received 14 May 2005; accepted 23 May 2005

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Keywords:

  • Gum chewing;
  • postoperative ileus;
  • open colectomy;
  • colon and rectal cancer;
  • prospective randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Objective  Postoperative ileus is common after colorectal resection and can prolong hospital stay. Gum chewing, a type of sham feeding, may to stimulate gut motility via cephalic-vagal stimulation, and thereby reduce the length of ileus. This study aimed to determine whether gum chewing in the immediate postoperative period facilitated recovery from ileus following resection for left-sided colorectal cancer.

Methods  In a prospective randomized control trial, 38 patients undergoing open surgery for left-sided colorectal cancer were allocated to standard postoperative care (control group, n = 19) or to standard postoperative care plus the immediate use of chewing gum (treatment group, n = 19).

Result  Control patients passed flatus by mean of 2.7 days (SD 1.0) and faeces by 3.9 days (SD 1.5); for the treatment group, this was 2.4 days (SD 1.0) and 3.2 days (SD 1.5) respectively, (NS, P = 0.56 and P = 0.38). Length of hospital stay was 11.1 days (SD 7.3) in control group and 9.4 days (SD 2.5) in the treatment group (NS, P = 0.75).

Conclusion  The addition of gum chewing to a standardized postoperative regimen did not reduce the period of postoperative ileus or shorten length of stay following open surgery for left-sided colorectal cancer.

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