Journal of wound, ostomy, and continence nursing : official publication of The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society
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J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs · Mar 2010
Meta AnalysisDoes chewing gum shorten the duration of postoperative ileus in patients undergoing abdominal surgery and creation of a stoma?
Postoperative ileus is a temporary disturbance in gastric and bowel motility following surgery. The risk for postoperative ileus following gastrointestinal and urinary ostomy surgery is significant because both procedures require extensive surgical manipulation and reconstruction of the bowel. Chewing gum is advocated for treatment because it acts as sham feeding, potentially stimulating gastric and bowel motility through repetitive stimulation of the cephalic-vagal complex. ⋯ Current best evidence suggests that chewing gum should be offered to selected patients with the intent of decreasing postoperative ileus. A careful nursing assessment of the patient's mental status, aspiration risk, and dentition is needed before initiating the intervention. In addition, further research is needed to develop more clearly defined parameters for chewing gum including frequency and duration of chewing and its use in patients with nasogastric tubes.