Publication:

Does gum chewing affect the timing of return of intestinal motility after elective cesarean section?

Background The aim is to evaluate the effect of gum chewing on the return of intestinal motility after elective CS.

Methods Study period was from September 2017 to March 2018 at the Assiut Women Health University Hospital. The study was registered as a prospective cohort study (Clinicaltrial.gov   NCT03355378). Women planned for elective CS according to selection criteria randomized to two groups: Group 1: included 100 patients who received intraoperative and postoperative non-sugary gum chewing as 15 minutes every 2 hours post-operatively for 6 hours with regular care and Group 2: included 100 patients who received regular care without gum chewing.

Results No statistically significant difference regarding the baseline criteria of both groups. There was a statistically significant lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure in gum chewing group. Hospital stay of gum chewing group was 7.33±0.73 hours versus in non-gum chewing group 20.28 ± 9.92 (p=0.000). Passage of flatus of gum chewing group was 8.54±0.98 hours versus in non-gum chewing group 13.22 ± 3.75 (P= 0.000).

Conclusions Gum chewing during elective CS improves gut motility in a safe way resulting in early passage of flatus, less hospital stay, and minimal pain score less cost on hospitals.