Postoperative Ileus
Conditions
Brief summary
The investigators are randomizing patients to receive chewing gum (Extra Sugar Free, Spearment) every 4 hours during waking hours for 15 minutes versus standard postoperative care. The investigators then have them fill out a survey in house and 1 week after their surgery that record time to first flatus, hunger, toleration of clear liquids and food and some information about pain, satisfaction, and quality of life. The investigators contact them via phone and email a maximum of three times in order to collect this information. 30 days postoperatively the investigators also contact them and perform a chart review for any postoperative complications.
Interventions
OTHERChewing gum
Sugar Free (Extra spearment) gum given to chew every 4 hours during waking hours for 15 minutes.
Sponsors
Johns Hopkins University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* 18 years or older * Undergoing benign gynecologic surgery via an exploratory laparotomy * Capable of giving consent
Exclusion criteria
* Oromaxillary or mental disturbances that would make chewing gum dangerous with regards to mastication or aspiration * Intubated or unconscious when leaving the OR * Bowel resection performed at the time of surgery * Active bowel disease (IBD, appendicitis, etc) * Gynecologic malignancy
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Time to flatus | 30 days |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Postoperative ileus | 30 days | Nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention two episodes of 100cc of emesis |
| time to discharge | 30 days | — |
| time to toleration of diet | 30 days | — |
| patient satisfaction | 30 days | — |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed