Chewing gum significantly reduces time to first postoperative flatus and bowel movement by over 12 and 19 hours, respectively, while cutting hospital stays by nearly a day. It also lowers the incidence of bowel obstruction. Involving nearly 5,000 patients across 35 trials, this systematic review endorses gum as an effective, safe, and cost-efficient addition to postoperative care protocols, although it prompts further research into long-term impacts and best practices.
Review by Wang C, Li B (…) Li Z et 6 al. in Ann Surg Oncol
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