Chewing gum after colectomies

faithwoman · May 11, 2006

Just finished taking care of a patient after a colectomie and a doctor's order was to have patient chew gum for 20 minutes tid. Just last week I was reading somewhere that this "wakes up" the bowels and it was kind of suprising to see a doctor's order regarding this a few days later. I guess we will see first hand if this actually works or not!

KeithEMU · May 11, 2006

There is an interesting connection between the mouth and the pelvis. I know a couple dulas that have told me that they try to make sure their mom's keep their mouth open during L&D because it helps keep the pelis open. I wonder if this has a similar effect, to stimulate the mouth simulates the bowels? It does seem that after eating the bowels are stimulated.

MIA-RN1, RN · May 11, 2006

if the gum stimulates saliva and then saliva stimulates the stomach which leads to the bowels--I can see it happening.

beautifulb · May 11, 2006

Wow, I read something about that this week! I can't remember the rational for it though.

meownsmile, BSN, RN · May 11, 2006

I can see where it would be beneficial. However, normally they want the bowel to rest a couple days following surgery to allow the colon to heal some before it gets active again.

I would think as soon as you hear bowel sounds it would be good, along with walking. Probly would help a lot of abdominal surgicals keep from having an ilius following surgery too. Just getting people up to walk sometimes doesnt do the trick. Especially when they seem to have an aversion to moving after surgery. :rolleyes:

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · May 12, 2006

Oh man, we were just talking about this last week at work. I guess some popular mag did an article about this fact, and we asked our best surgeon about it...he said "yep, that has been known for a long time...but since we use many PCA's and other narcotics that slow resp rates and cause drowsiness...we tend to shy away from making that an order...don't want someone to choke if they get too sedate." He also added "if I feel someone is alert enough to chew gum and not be at risk for aspiration, then I advance their diets and get things moving that way, and gum can be a great PRN if not tolerating foods too well."

I think thanks to this article (I don't remember what mag), we will be seeing this in practice again .

Yeah, and us nurses joked that the hospital will only fork out money for cheep gum, and us nurses will hear ALLLLLLLL about it "oh my gum is hard/flavorless/yucky" or "I want this flavor only" or my fav..."sorry nurse I lost my gum and now it is in my hair...can you get it out please??? (or on floor, or on the RN...whatever! Uhggg)."

Would hate to have to chip gum off the beds and equipment though...you know that folks will put it anywhere they want once done.....

suebird3 · May 12, 2006

I remember reading something in the AJN about this....an Evidence Based study in maybe the March 2006 issue. Sounded interesting. If I find it, will let you all know.

Suebird

firstaiddave907 · May 12, 2006

wow thats and interesting fact i never knew that you learn new things everyday.

PANurseRN1 · May 12, 2006

I remember waaaaaaay back in nursing school telling pts. they weren't allowed to chew gum pre-op because it stimulated the bowel.

You guys are keeping the gum in the narc drawer? LOLOL!!!

meownsmile, BSN, RN · May 12, 2006

As far as the gum goes. T&A patients as well as people who have gross swelling/infection/irritation in their neck lymph nodes are advised to chew gum also. I have the worst time. I cant get a piece of gum for a patient to save our lives unless i want to go to the gift shop and buy it myself. Which im not going to do. I finally wrote a requisition and sent to pharmacy, gave copies to my NM and administration and told them that if an ORDER is written for a patient to chew gum we should be able to get it SOMEHOW. Juries still out on this one, but will revisit this when i get back to work for sure.

Of all things to have to fight for on a unit,,, geezz.

WOLFE, BSN, RN · May 12, 2006

we give gum to pt's where I'm at...good way to prevent an ileus...