Xylitol Gum Chewing to Achieve Early Postoperative Restoration of Bowel Motility After Laparoscopic Surgery

Abstract

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of postoperative xylitol gum chewing on gastrointestinal functional recovery after laparoscopy. Altogether, 120 patients undergoing elective gynecologic laparoscopy were randomly divided into 2 groups of 60 each (final numbers: 53 controls, 56 patients). Controls underwent a routine postoperative regimen. Starting 6 hour after surgery, study patients chewed mint-flavored, sugarless xylitol gum until flatus occurred thrice a day. Other postoperative management was routine. First bowel sounds, first flatus, first bowel movement, and discharge times were recorded. Symptoms included abdominal distension, nausea, and vomiting. First flatus and first bowel sounds occurred significantly (P<0.001) earlier in the study patients. No significant differences were found for first defecation time, hospitalization duration, or mild/severe intestinal obstruction (all P>0.05). Thus, xylitol gum chewing after laparoscopy can effectively shorten the time to first flatus and helps with postoperative gastrointestinal functional recovery. It is simple, convenient, and well tolerated.

Acute Hepatic Failure in a Dog after Xylitol Ingestion

“…Research continues to show the unique advantages of xylitol to human health. Recent studies in humans have shown a likely benefit in chewing xylitol containing gum to help restore the bowel motility postoperatively [6]. Due to its humectant properties, xylitol is used in many non-food items, including deodorants and skin gels.…”

Absorptive anti-adhesion barrier for the prevention of bowel obstruction after laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery

“…Various products and postoperative management procedures have been used to prevent postoperative peritoneal adhesions [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] . The usefulness of the absorptive anti-adhesion barrier film Seprafilm [9][10][11][12][13][14] has been shown by many randomized control studies and meta-analysis, although studies with negative results do exist [15][16][17][18] .…”

Gum chewing combined with oral intake of a semi‐liquid diet in the postoperative care of patients after gynaecologic laparoscopic surgery

“…, Gong et al . ). Nevertheless, in these studies, no significant difference in the time to first defecation was observed between the patients who chewed gum and the patients who received traditional postoperative care.…”

“…) postoperatively due to intraoperative haemorrhage; other severe postoperative complications; a history of GI disease (Gong et al . ). These diseases were included in the exclusion criteria because they would influence the postoperative recovery of patients and cause some bias in the study.…”

“…, Gong et al . ). These findings suggest that gum chewing should be recommended as a subsidiary treatment in postoperative care of patients undergoing gynaecologic laparoscopic surgery.…”