Impact of Chewing Gum on Postoperative Gut Motility in Gastrointestinal Surgery Patients

Khyber Medical University Peshawar

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Postoperative Gut Dysfunction; Postoperative Ileus; Delayed Gastrointestinal Motility

Treatments: Behavioral: Chewing Gum

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07425249

KMU/DIR/CTU/2025/14

Details and patient eligibility

About

Postoperative ileus (POI) is a frequent complication after abdominal surgery, leading to delayed gastrointestinal motility, prolonged hospital stay, and increased patient discomfort. Chewing gum, as a form of sham feeding, has been proposed to stimulate gut motility through vagal stimulation and increased gastrointestinal secretions. This randomized controlled trial aims to assess the effect of chewing gum on early recovery of gastrointestinal motility in patients undergoing open gastrointestinal surgery.

Full description

This prospective randomized controlled trial will evaluate whether chewing gum reduces the time to return of bowel function after gastrointestinal surgery. Ninety-six adult patients undergoing open gastrointestinal surgery will be randomly allocated into intervention and control groups using block randomization. The intervention group will receive glucose-containing chewing gum starting six hours postoperatively. Outcomes measured include time to first bowel sounds, passage of flatus, and defecation. Statistical analysis will assess differences between groups to determine the efficacy of chewing gum in preventing postoperative ileus.

Enrollment: 96 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 17 to 85 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age between 17 and 85 years.
• Patients of either gender.
• Undergoing open gastrointestinal surgical procedures (elective or emergency).
• Willing to participate and able to provide informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with metabolic or endocrine disorders (diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, or hyperthyroidism).
• Patients with renal disease or electrolyte imbalance.
• Patients with chronic constipation or neuromuscular disorders.
• Patients with substance abuse or drug addiction.
• Patients receiving medications affecting gut motility (calcium channel blockers or antiepileptic drugs).
• Patients with dental prosthesis or undergoing laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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96 participants in 2 patient groups

Chewing Gum Intervention Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will receive glucose/carbohydrate-containing chewing gum starting 6 hours after surgery. Patients will chew gum for 15 minutes, three times daily, for 48 hours or until first passage of flatus or stool, in addition to standard postoperative care.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Chewing Gum

Standard Care Control Group

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants will receive standard postoperative care without chewing gum intervention.