Effect of gum chewing on bowel motility in women undergoing caesarean section: a hospital based experimental study

Background: A cesarean delivery involves the delivery of a fetus through an open abdominal incision (laparotomy) and a uterine incision (hysterotomy). Paralytic ileus, also known as a non-mechanical obstruction, or postoperative ileus, is a malfunction of intestinal motility following major intra- or extra-abdominal surgery due to extensive bowel handling or an infection. Chewing of gum, mimics the ingestion of food and is considered a form of sham feeding. In this study, we have employed the use of chewing gum, to improve and hasten the onset of bowel motility in postoperative LSCS patients. Methods: This is a hospital based experimental study conducted at Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Kelambakkam, for a period of 3 months. The study was done among pregnant women who delivered via lower segment caesarean section at the institute. It included 150 women with 75 of them in the chewing gum group and other 75 in control group. Convenient sampling technique was adopted. Results: The chewing gum group showed earlier appearance of bowel sounds and passage of flatus and shortened duration of hospital stay as compared to the control group. The difference between the same was found to be statistically significant. Conclusions: The use of chewing gum after cesarean delivery can significantly enhance intestinal motility. This reduces the incidence of postoperative ileus following caesarean delivery.