Chewing Gum Facilitates an Earlier Return to Bowel Function in Pediatric Scoliosis Patients: A Prospective Randomized Study

University of Alabama at Birmingham83 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of chewing gum on reducing post-operative ileus and reducing post-operative gastrointestinal symptoms in pediatric patients undergoing surgical correction of scoliosis. This study would provide minimal risk to its study population, and has the opportunity to provide a benefit to patients undergoing scoliosis surgery. If shown to be effective, this could lead to changes and improvement of the post-operative course for pediatric scoliosis patients.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Scoliosis

Interventions

Chewing gumOTHER

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 10 YearsMax age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Otherwise meets criteria for surgical correction of scoliosis * Mental capacity to understand the purpose of the study * Idiopathic scoliosis or neuromuscular scoliosis with mild cerebral involvement * Posterior surgery approach only Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to safely chew gum due to oropharyngeal issues or airway issues * History of GI surgery (G-tube, fundoplication, ostomy etc...) * Anterior approach

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Time to return of normal bowel function.

Patients are interviewed daily as inpatient and then several days after surgery to determine the time (reported in hours post-operative) first flatus and first bowel movement was experienced.

Time frame: 72-96 hours