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

ABSTRACT

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.