Chewing gum boost for colon surgery patients

Patients recovering from colon surgery could speed up a return to normal intestinal function by chewing gum.

UK scientists claim gum acts as a “sham feeding” device, stimulating nerves in the digestive system and triggering the release of gastrointestinal hormones.

Colon surgery is typically followed by postoperative ileus, the inability of the intestines to function properly.

It is cited as a major contributing factor towards postoperative pain and discomfort and can cause abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting and cramping pain.

Postoperative ileus is said to cost the US $1 billion (£500 million) in healthcare expenditure, background information in today’s study review, published in Archives of Surgery, one of the Jama/Archives journals today, said.

Researchers from St Mary’s hospital, London, analysed data from five trials published in and around July 2006 involving more than 150 patients.

Test subjects chewed sugarless gum three times a day following surgery for five to 45 minutes.

When compared against patients who did not chew gum, the test subjects were found to have an improved speed of intestinal function returning.

“In conclusion, we feel that the current evidence suggests that gum chewing following abdominal surgery offers significant benefits in reducing the time to resolution of ileus; however, the studies are insufficiently powered to identify a significant benefit in length of stay,” the study authors write.