Randomised Controlled Trial of Chewing Gum to Reduce Post Operative Ileus in Elective Colorectal Surgery
Randomised Controlled Trial of Chewing Gum to Reduce Post Operative Ileus in Elective Colorectal Surgery
It is unknown whether post operative chewing gum will reduce post operative ileus. This study is a randomised controlled trial that will determine whether chewing gum three times a day following surgery will reduce post operative ileus. Time to passage of flatus will be used to determine that incidence of ileus.
Patients will be randomised to one of two arms, the experimental arm will be chewing gum and the control arm will be normal post operative care.
The primary endpoint is time to passage of flatus (defined as end of operation to first passage of flatus, in minutes).
The trial will be unblinded to patients and observers and has been powered to demonstrate a 15% reduction in passage to flatus (130 patients required)
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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