TY - JOUR
T1 - Does Gum Chewing Ameliorate Postoperative Ileus? Results of a Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
AU - Matros, Evan
AU - Rocha, Flavio
AU - Zinner, Michael
AU - Wang, John
AU - Ashley, Stanley
AU - Breen, Elizabeth
AU - Soybel, David
AU - Shoji, Brent
AU - Burgess, Anne
AU - Bleday, Ronald
AU - Kuntz, Richard
AU - Whang, Edward
PY - 2006/5
Y1 - 2006/5
N2 - Background: A preliminary report has been interpreted to suggest that gum chewing reduces duration of postcolectomy ileus. Study design: We rigorously tested this hypothesis in a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Patients undergoing open colectomy (n = 66) were randomized to receive 1 of 3 postoperative regimens beginning on postoperative day 1: sips (control, n = 21); sips and accupressure wrist bracelet (placebo, n = 23); and sips and gum chewing (treatment, n = 22). Patients were unaware of which regimen constituted placebo or treatment; end points were assessed by blinded investigators. Power was set a priori at 85% to detect a 0.75-day difference in time to first postoperative passage of flatus between placebo and treatment groups. Groups were compared using the log-rank test. Results: Groups were equivalent with respect to demographic and surgical characteristics. Median times to first postoperative passage of flatus were as follows: sips, 67 hours; bracelet and sips, 72 hours; gum and sips, 60 hours (p = 0.384). There were no significant differences in time to passage of first bowel movement, time until patients were ready for discharge, or time until actual discharge among the three groups. Inpatient and 30-day followup demonstrated no difference in frequency or distribution of postoperative complications. Conclusions: In contrast to findings of a preliminary study, our clinical trial suggests that gum chewing, although safe, does not reduce duration of postcolectomy ileus.
AB - Background: A preliminary report has been interpreted to suggest that gum chewing reduces duration of postcolectomy ileus. Study design: We rigorously tested this hypothesis in a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Patients undergoing open colectomy (n = 66) were randomized to receive 1 of 3 postoperative regimens beginning on postoperative day 1: sips (control, n = 21); sips and accupressure wrist bracelet (placebo, n = 23); and sips and gum chewing (treatment, n = 22). Patients were unaware of which regimen constituted placebo or treatment; end points were assessed by blinded investigators. Power was set a priori at 85% to detect a 0.75-day difference in time to first postoperative passage of flatus between placebo and treatment groups. Groups were compared using the log-rank test. Results: Groups were equivalent with respect to demographic and surgical characteristics. Median times to first postoperative passage of flatus were as follows: sips, 67 hours; bracelet and sips, 72 hours; gum and sips, 60 hours (p = 0.384). There were no significant differences in time to passage of first bowel movement, time until patients were ready for discharge, or time until actual discharge among the three groups. Inpatient and 30-day followup demonstrated no difference in frequency or distribution of postoperative complications. Conclusions: In contrast to findings of a preliminary study, our clinical trial suggests that gum chewing, although safe, does not reduce duration of postcolectomy ileus.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2006.02.009
DO - 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2006.02.009
M3 - Article
C2 - 16648017
AN - SCOPUS:33646083927
SN - 1072-7515
VL - 202
SP - 773
EP - 778
JO - Journal of the American College of Surgeons
JF - Journal of the American College of Surgeons
IS - 5
ER -