Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal

Background and Objectives: An important cause of delayed recovery from abdominal surgery is delay in return of bowel Function. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of chewing sugar free gum after elective Cesarean-delivery on return of bowel function in primiparous women in Hajar hospital of Shahrekord. Methods: In a randomized clinical trial, 120 patients, who were scheduled for elective cesarean were randomly allocated to 2 groups of gum-chewing group (n=60) and control group (n=60) postoperatively. The patients in the gum-chewing group chewed postoperatively sugar free gum 4 times daily as soon as they recovered from anesthesia till the time they passed flatus or defecated. Control group recieved routine postoperative dietary management. The mean scores of postoperative time interval to first hearing of normal bowel sounds, passage of flatus, defecation and sensation of bowel movement were compared between the two groups. The data were then analyzed using chi square and t-test (p<0.05). Results: The mean postoperative time interval to first hearing of normal intestinal sounds (6.5+/-1.5 versus 12.5+/- 2.5 hours), the first passage of flatus (12.2+/-2.0 vs.22.4+/-4.1 hours), first sensation of bowel movement (7.4+/-1.7 versus 15.7+/-3.4 hours) and defecation (15.5+/-2.5 versus 23.4+/-4.8 hours) were significantly lower in the gum-chewing group compared with control group. (p<0.001). The staying period in the hospital (0.96+/-0.18 versus 1.1+/-34 days) was significantly shorter in gum-chewing group. (p<0.001). Conclusion: Chewing gum after elective Cesarean-Delivery is safe, inexpensive and helpful which is well tolerated, and associated with rapid resumption of intestinal function and speeds recovery shorter hospital stay.