The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the use of nicotine gum in the postoperative period influences surgical outcome in patients undergoing colorectal surgery.
The main hypothesis of this study is that use of nicotine gum after colorectal surgery will accelerate recovery of bowel function. Eligible patients include all patients undergoing segmental small bowel or large bowel resection with a planned primary anastomosis, planned removal of the nasogastric tube at the end of the surgery, and administration of clear liquids on post-operative day one. Patients who have an ileostomy or colostomy created will be excluded. Patients enrolled in the study will be randomized to one of three groups: nicotine gum, regular gum, or no gum. Patients randomized to nicotine gum or regular gum will chew the gum three times a day for 1 week. The main outcome measure is time to first bowel movement or flatus.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
4
Patients will chew nicotine gum 3 times a day until discharge or 7 days, whichever comes first
Patients will chew regular sugar-free gum 3 times a day until discharge or 7 days, whichever comes first
Cleveland Clinic Florida
Weston, Florida, United States
Bowel Function Recovery
Time to first bowel movement or flatus
Time frame: 7 days
Hospital Stay
Length of postoperative hospital stay
Time frame: 30 days
Post-operative Vomiting
Episodes of vomiting
Time frame: 30 days
Use of NG Tubes
Nasogastric tube (re)insertions
Time frame: 30 days
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