Study: Chewing gum could speed recovery from colon surgery

October 27, 2005 -- A new study gives doctors and patients something to chew on. People who have had laparoscopic colon surgery may be able to hasten their recovery simply by chewing gum.

Those who chew gum leave the hospital an average of one day sooner than those who don't.

Many colon surgery patients suffer post-operative problems because their digestive system is inactive. Usually, they only get clear liquids to drink while recovering. But when patients also got gum at mealtimes it stimulated more chewing and swallowing. And that apparently helped their digestive systems get back to normal

The study was presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Surgeons.

Get more News »

• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•