Chewing Gum Following Caesarean Birth: Reducing Rates of Postoperative Ileus

Abstract

Caesarean birth is the most common abdominal surgery performed on women and birthing people in developing countries. A literature review has been undertaken to investigate whether chewing gum reduces the incidence of postoperative ileus in women undergoing a caesarean birth. Furthermore, an ileus prevention care bundle has been proposed to expedite the postoperative recovery care pathway, thereby improving the experience of women and families whilst reducing hospital length of stay and adverse outcomes.