Comparative study of gum chewing versus routine care in post operative gut motility after cesarean section.

Abstract

Objective: To compare the postoperative gut motility in terms of time to first bowel sound, passage of flatus, and stool between patients receiving gum chewing versus routine care after elective cesarean section. Study Design: Randomized Controlled Trial. Setting: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Akhtar Saeed Trust Hospital, Lahore. Period: 27 March 2025 to 20 Aug 2025. Methods: Seventy women undergoing elective lower segment cesarean section under spinal anesthesia were enrolled in this randomized controlled trial. They were equally randomized into two equal groups consisting of 35 cases each in Group A and B, gum chewing (sugar-free) in Group A was started within 6 hrs of the procedure where B group cases were those with routine care (without gum). The study monitored each participant for the return of bowel activity, including bowel sounds, flatus, and stool passage. Results: The mean age of participants was 30.34 ± 6.23 years. Chewing gum significantly improved postoperative gut motility. Mean time to first bowel sound was 8.16 ± 1.36 hours in Group A versus 12.31 ± 1.79 hours in Group B (p < 0.001). Mean time to flatus was 10.21 ± 2.45 vs. 14.47 ± 2.37 hours (p < 0.001), and time to stool passage was 24.97 ± 3.86 vs. 36.83 ± 5.38 hours respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The use of chewing gum notably expedites the return of gastrointestinal activity after cesarean delivery. It may be recommended as a safe, inexpensive adjunct to enhance recovery in postoperative care.