The Effects of Gum Chewing on Bowel Function Recovery Following Cesarean Section (GUM01)

Chiang Mai University

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 3; Phase 2

Conditions: Paralytic Ileus

Treatments: Behavioral: Gum chewing

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01131416

10FEB010938

Details and patient eligibility

About

Following all abdominal surgery, paralytic ileus commonly develops. Surgeons have traditionally withheld postoperative oral intake until the return of bowel function to prevent related complications. Gum chewing can stimulates bowel movement and promotes the return of bowel function through the cephalic-vagal reflex and increased intestinal enzymes secretion.

The objectives of this study are to examine effects of adding gum chewing to the conventional postoperative feeding regimen on the return of bowel function, its related complications, and patients' satisfaction.

Enrollment: 100 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 15 to 50 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Pregnant women undergoing cesarean delivery

Exclusion criteria

• Perioperative hyperalimentation
• Recent chemotherapy
• Concurrent bowel surgery
• Previous bowel surgery
• Concurrent bowel obstruction
• History of inflammatory bowel diseases
• Previous abdominal/pelvic radiation
• Postoperative placement of endotracheal tube/nasogastric tube
• Postoperative admission to intensive care unit

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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100 participants in 2 patient groups

Gum chewing

Experimental group

Description:

Gum chewing (30 minutes in duration each time, 4 times/days at the usual time of meal, until the first flatus) in addition to conventional postoperative feeding schedule

Treatment:

Behavioral: Gum chewing

Conventional

No Intervention group

Description:

Conventional postoperative feeding schedule