Chewing gum after heart surgery to prevent intestinal complications

Chewing gum could have unsuspected effects on health. Cardiac surgery can sometimes lead to bowel problems in recovering patients. Researchers from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons claim that chewing gum could help jump-start the digestive system during the postoperative period. From the results they presented at their annual conference which took place on September 10 and 11.

Postoperative ileus, a complication that affects 5% of patients

For patients who undergo heart surgery, there is a small risk that they will develop a condition called postoperative ileus. It is a lack of normal muscle contractions in the intestines that causes food to accumulate. The problem can also lead to a painful blockage in the digestive tract. This temporary shutdown of the digestive system is one of the most common complications that occur after heart surgery, estimated to occur in approximately 5% of patients. Ileus can also cause abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and difficulty adjusting to a normal diet. When this happens, it not only causes discomfort for the operated patients, but also lengthens their stay in the hospital.

Researchers looked at more than 800 patients who underwent elective open-heart surgery, aortic valve replacement, or mitral valve repair/replacement. In this group, 341 patients chewed sugar-free gum after their surgery, performed between 2017 and 2020. The other 496 did not use gum after the operation.

5 times fewer ileus thanks to chewing gum

Study results show that only two gum-chewing patients (0.59%) developed a case of postoperative ileus. Meanwhile, researchers found that 17 patients in the other group (3.43%) developed the disease after heart surgery.

“The idea that something as simple as chewing gum after heart surgery could minimize this problem is very appealing.says Rakesh C. Arora, researcher at Saint-Boniface Hospital in commentary on the study in which he did not participate. In hundreds of patients undergoing heart surgery who were given a piece of chewing gum after recovering, less than one in 100 patients developed an ileus. This is a striking reduction of nearly 5 times from the historical average. This long-awaited study will be much talked about with plenty to chew on!”

A fictional diet

The team explains that chewing gum stimulates the intestines into believing that food is entering the body. Doctors call this “mock eating,” which they define as any action that mimics eating but doesn’t actually lead to digestion.

“Given the minimal risk and extremely insignificant cost of this procedure, the incorporation of chewing gum after heart surgery should be strongly considered a new standard of care.concludes Sirivan S. Seng, author of the study. Discuss with your surgeon the possibility of using chewing gum after surgery. Almost everyone can benefit from an affordable, tasty and refreshing packet of chewing gum..”