Effectiveness of Gum Chewing on Ileus in Chinese Colorectal Patients Underwent Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery

Effectiveness of Gum Chewing on Reduction of Postoperative Paralytic Ileus for Chinese Colorectal Cancer Patients Underwent Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery and Enhanced Recovery Program

Gum chewing group will have less ileus and early resume of bowel motion than control group.

The standardize surgical techniques, less used of epidural analgesia, early ambulation and used of naso-gastric tube for decompression are aimed to reduce the paralytic ileus after abdominal surgery . Most Western studies have examined and found that gum chewing are able to prevent postoperative ileus or promotes early bowel function after abdominal surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer undergoing laparoscopic resection in in Queen Mary Hospital
• At least 18 years
• Speak Cantonese
• Able to follow study protocol and chewing gum study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cognitive disability
• Requirement of epidural analgesia
• Requirement of intensive care unit/ High dependency unit care postoperatively
• Inability to chew
• Presence of procedure other than colorectal resection
• Non Chinese