The Effect of Gum Chewing on Bowel Motility in Post-operative Colon Resection Patients

Allina Health System

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 3

Conditions: Colon Resection

Treatments: Other: gum chewing; Other: no gum chewing

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01613274

GCBM

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to determine if chewing mint-flavored sugarless gum after colon resection surgery decrease the time to first flatus, bowel movement and length of stay in the hospital.

Full description

Post-operative colon resection patients experience decreased bowel motility, which may cause pain, nausea/ vomiting, impaired nutritional intake, and abdominal distention. Return of bowel function is a strong determinant in length of hospital stay. There are small studies that have shown that chewing gum post-operatively may enhance bowel motility thus minimizing complications and decreasing length of hospital stay. The purpose of this research study is to determine the effect of gum chewing on bowel motility as measured by time to first flatus, bowel movement and length of stay in patients following a colon resection.

Enrollment: 80 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Admitted to Unit 2600
2. Age 18-100 years of age
3. Alert and oriented
4. Post-operative open or laparoscopic colon resection
5. English speaking.

Exclusion criteria

1. Confused, or with cognitive disabilities that render the patient unable to answer questions about bowel motility.
2. Admitted to any other unit except 2600
3. Use of an epidural catheter for pain control post-operatively
4. Documented history of irritable bowel syndrome
5. Colostomy (new or old)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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80 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Gum chewing

Experimental group

Description:

Chewing mint flavored sugarless gum for 10-20 minutes three times a day following colon resection.

Treatment:

Other: gum chewing

no gum chewing

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

no gum chewing

Treatment:

Other: no gum chewing