| Problem: Postoperative ileus is defined as the inability to tolerate oral intake from a non-mechanical insult that interferes with normal gastrointestinal motility. Patients who suffer from a postoperative ileus will often experience increased pain, nausea, vomiting, cardiovascular and pulmonary complications, decreased ambulation, poor wound healing, increased length of stay, and high utilization of health care resources. In addition, a postoperative ileus has been found to be the most common cause of delayed hospital discharge after abdominal surgery. The purpose of this literature review is to discuss the role that gum chewing has in the prevention of postoperative ileus and the stimulation of gastrointestinal motility in various surgical patient populations. Methods: A PubMed search using the online resources of the Weill Cornell Medical College Library was conducted for articles that investigated the role of gum chewing in postoperative ileus for various surgical patient populations. Only full text, English journal articles were selected for this literature review. Results: All studies analyzed for this review concluded that gum chewing related to earlier time to bowel sounds and earlier time to flatus. Seven of the eight studies analyzed found gum chewing to relate to earlier time to bowel movement. Individual studies also revealed gum chewing to relate to fewer ileus-related symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting and earlier feelings of hunger. The studies revealed limitations in the current postoperative treatment of a postoperative ileus. Conclusion: In patients who undergo an elective surgical procedure, gum chewing will help facilitate a more rapid recovery of gastrointestinal motility. The importance of this is seen as the United States economy spends billions of dollars on treating the complications associated with postoperative ileus. |
