Keywords
How to Cite
Abstract
Background:
Postoperative ileus is a common complication following caesarean section, resulting in delayed bowel recovery, increased patient discomfort, and prolonged hospital stay. Gum chewing, a form of sham feeding, has been proposed as a simple and cost-effective method to stimulate gastrointestinal motility through activation of the cephalic-vagal reflex.
Objective:
To assess the safety and feasibility of gum chewing as an adjunctive therapy for enhancing bowel recovery after caesarean section.
Methodology:
This prospective comparative study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital over a period of six months. A total of 150 women undergoing caesarean section were enrolled and divided into two groups: gum-chewing group (n=75) and control group (n=75). The intervention group was instructed to chew sugar-free gum for 20 minutes, three times daily, starting 6 hours postoperatively until the passage of first flatus. Outcomes measured included time to first bowel sound, first flatus, first defecation, duration of hospital stay, and postoperative complications. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, and a p-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results:
The mean time to first bowel sound was significantly shorter in the gum-chewing group (10.2 ± 2.3 hours) compared to the control group (14.6 ± 3.1 hours; p<0.001). The time to first flatus (18.4 ± 3.7 vs 25.1 ± 4.2 hours; p<0.001) and first defecation (30.6 ± 5.8 vs 40.3 ± 6.4 hours; p<0.001) were also significantly reduced in the intervention group. Additionally, the mean duration of hospital stay was shorter in the gum-chewing group (2.8 ± 0.7 days) compared to the control group (3.9 ± 1.1 days; p<0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed in postoperative complications such as nausea or abdominal distension between the two groups (p>0.05).
Conclusion:
Gum chewing is a safe, feasible, and cost-effective adjunctive therapy that significantly enhances postoperative bowel recovery and reduces hospital stay after caesarean section. Its routine use should be encouraged, particularly in resource-limited healthcare settings.