Study of the Efficience of Chewing-gum to Reduce the Duration of Postoperative Ileus

Efficiency of Chewing-gum to Reduce the Duration Postoperative Ileus: a Randomized Controlled Study

Postoperative ileus (POI) is a serious complication after surgery. While it complicates all type of surgery, it is more frequent after abdominal surgery (especially bowel or colorectal surgery).

Many studies aim to reduce the occurence of POI without efficiency. The aim of this study is to assess the efficiency of the vagal stimulation, by the mean of chewing, to reduce the duration of POI.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients undergoing colorectal surgery or small bowel surgery
• elective or in emergency
• open surgery or laparoscopy
• diagnosis of POI
• indication of fasting or nasogastric tube placement

Exclusion Criteria:

• contra-indication of chewing
• pregnancy