Chewing gum reduces postoperative ileus following abdominal surgery: a meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled trials.

Chewing gum proposal has been used in surgery to reduce postoperative ileus for more than 10 years; however, the efficacy remains imprecise. The aim of this study was to accurately assess whether the use of the chewing gum could reduce duration of postoperative ileus following the abdominal surgery.