Does Chewing Gum After Elective Laparoscopic Colectomy Surgery Decrease Ileus?

Postoperative ileus remains a source of morbidity and a major determinant of length of stay after abdominal surgery. This unfortunate complication may certainly affect patient's satisfaction with their postoperative course. The postoperative care of a laparoscopic colectomy patient includes interventions that are evidence-based. Despite the evidence-based interventions, the incidence of ileus after laparoscopic colectomy continues to pose complications for the patient, staff, and the healthcare system. In the time period from January 1, 2006 to November 30, 2006 there were a total of 172 laparoscopic colectomies at St. Joseph's Hospital and 28 patients developed an ileus. Six percent of colectomy patients' recovery was altered by a prolonged ileus. This is comparably and slightly less then the National Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program's data for postoperative ileus of 7.5 % (Longo et al. 2000). However, the length of stay for patients with an ileus was 8.4 days greater then non ileus patients, with a significant increased cost per ileus patient of $15,422.86. Clinicians have devised strategies that minimize postoperative ileus. Adjunct therapies such as motility agents, early postoperative feeding regimens, and physical therapy have been tested in clinical trials, but are not routinely used because of their limited clinical efficacy (Matros, et al. 2006). Gum chewing, an inexpensive intervention, is theorized to activate the cephalic- vagal reflex, which is usually activated by food, and to increase the production of gastrointestinal hormones associated with bowel motility (Asao, et al, 2002).

Four studies examining gum chewing as an intervention to prevent ileus were found. These relatively few studies with a sample of postoperative abdominal surgical patients have demonstrated inconsistencies. Two studies found that the chewing gum group passed flatus and had a bowel movement sooner than the control group. One of these studies found a decreased length of stay. Two other randomized control studies found no statistical significance between the gum chewing and control groups as far as post-operative ileus or length of stay. Because of the small sample size of the four studies and the inconsistencies of the results, there is not enough evidence to change practice. The inexpensive method of gum chewing may be useful to decrease ileus in post-operative colectomy patients, which will decrease costs and length of stay. It could also decrease pain, emesis, and morbidity for patients. There are no indications of risks associated with gum chewing as an adjunct therapy along with standard postoperative interventions.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: In adult elective laparoscopic colectomy patients does chewing gum decrease ileus compared with standard post-operative care? STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, randomized control design

SUBJECT SELECTION: (Include inclusion/exclusion criteria) All participants will be recruited at St. Joseph's Hospital. The sample will consist of all patients who are 18 years of age and older and are identified as adults on admission, and/or pre-admission for elective laparoscopic colectomy surgery. Inclusion criteria consist of all patients admitted to one surgical unit (3-1) from November 1, 2007 to August 1, 2008 with a non- emergent laparoscopic colectomy. Exclusion criteria consist of all patients with a history of metastatic disease, history of inflammatory bowel disease, abdominal radiation treatment, mint allergy (the gum is mint flavored), dentures, nasogastric tube drainage beyond the first postoperative morning, more then one bowel anastomosis during this surgery, conversion to pen colectomy, or admission to an ICI post-operatively.

STATISTICAL METHODS, DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION: (Include the factors considered in determining an appropriate sample size) Data will be analyzed statistically. Descriptive statistics will be used to describe the entire sample, appropriate to the level of measurement of each. Independent t-tests for variables measured at ordinal or interval/ratio levels and chi-square for dichotomous variables will be used to compare the two groups on all demographic variables, hours since first flatus, and first bowel movement Analysis of co-variance may be used to statistically control for medical conditions found in the sample that were not excluded but could affect the findings.