Role of Chewing Gum in Reducing Post Operative Ileus After Reversal of Ileostomy
Role of Chewing Gum in Reducing Post Operative Ileus After Reversal of Ileostomy
Postoperative ileus is generally referred to as the transient impairment of bowel motility
 after abdominal or other surgery and diagnosed by postoperative abdominal pain vomiting
 constipation and distension.

 The potential complications of prolonged POI include increased postoperative pain, increased
 nausea and vomiting, pulmonary complications, poor wound healing, delay in resuming oral
 intake, delay in postoperative mobilization, prolonged hospitalization, and increased
 health-care costs. The estimated economic impact of POI in the United States is $7.5 billion
 per year, excluding the expenses of work loss.

 In view of these complications and economic burden a number of pharmacologic and
 non-pharmacologic strategies have been adopted by the doctors all over the world to reduce
 the burden of postoperative ileus.These programs involve transverse or curved surgical
 incisions, removal of nasogastric tubes at the end of anesthesia, intraoperative and
 postoperative analgesia, early postoperative feeding, mobilization, and gum chewing.

 The use of gum chewing has emerged as a new and simple modality for decreasing POI. And
 reviews have concluded that there is consistent benefit for patients from gum chewing after
 the intestinal surgery; colonic surgery and gynecological surgery.

 This study is based on the hypothesis that postoperative gum chewing is beneficial in
 prevention of postoperative ileus after reversal of ileostomy.
Inclusion Criteria:

 1. Patients of either gender with age ranging from 15 to 60 years.

 2. Patients whose ileostomies were made for typhoid or tuberculous perforation

 3. Patients with no distal obstruction on loopogram.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 - 1. Patients with age less than 15 years and greater than 60. 2. Patients having co-morbid
 factors such as diabetes and ischemic heart disease.

 3. Patients whose ileostomy was made for any condition other than typhoid or tuberculosis.