Traditional postoperative care has been challenged recently to improve and speedup recovery (including the return of bowel function) such that patients can be discharged to home more quickly. This approach includes earlier mobilization of the patient, and introducing solid food sooner. Additionally, there is evidence in adults to suggest that "sham feeding" by chewing gum may also speed up bowel recovery so the patient may tolerate a solid diet earlier. The aim of this study is to determine if gum chewing can enhance bowel recovery in children who undergo abdominal surgery.
After intestinal surgery, many patients suffer from a "postoperative ileus" (POI). The cause is multifactorial and can be attributed to surgery itself, the lingering effect of the anesthetic, the use of narcotics and decreased mobility of the patient. An ileus can delay the time to full diet, thus lengthening the hospital stay of the patient - sometimes up to several weeks. There is evidence that early drinking/eating and increased mobility may accelerate the return of bowel function. "Fast-tracking" is well documented in the adult literature; protocols have been put in place to enhance GI tract recovery and thus decrease the morbidity of a prolonged hospital stay and ileus. "Fast-tracking" has been done in pediatric patients but not in a large RCT for abdominal surgery.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
1 piece of sugarless gum three times daily to be chewed for 1 hour each time.
Alberta Children's Hospital
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
composite outcome: first flatus, first bowel movement, first solid oral intake (any)
documented by nurse, patient or caregiver
Time frame: from time of leaving the operating room (time zero) until the time of event (time bowel movement, time flatus, time oral intake), measured in hours
length of stay
from day admission to day of discharge
Time frame: days
Readmission
Need for readmission within 30 days of discharge
Time frame: days
Swallowing/aspiration of gum
measured as yes/no
Time frame: during hospital stay (from leaving the operating room until discharge)
Allergic reaction/adverse reaction to gum
measured as yes/no
Time frame: during hospital stay (from leaving the operating room until discharge)
Reoperation
measured as yes/no
Time frame: during same hospital stay (from leaving the operating room until discharge)
prokinetic/anti-reflux medication
measured as yes/no if need for additional medications to facilitate return of bowel function
Time frame: during admission (from leaving the operating room until discharge)
Narcotic use
quantity of narcotics consumed (mg/kg total)
Time frame: during admission (from leaving the operating room until discharge)
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