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Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery :... Aug 2023Postoperative ileus is common after gastrointestinal surgery. This network meta-analysis aimed to compare the effectiveness of gum chewing and coffee and caffeine intake... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Postoperative ileus is common after gastrointestinal surgery. This network meta-analysis aimed to compare the effectiveness of gum chewing and coffee and caffeine intake on ileus-related outcomes.
METHODS
A systematic literature review was performed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing noninvasive treatments for ileus after gastrointestinal surgery. The main analyses included random effects network meta-analyses using frequentist methods with simultaneous direct and indirect comparisons of time to first flatus, time to first defecation, and length of stay. Bayesian network meta-analysis using Markov chains was also used.
RESULTS
A total of 32 RCTs comparing 4999 patients were included in this network meta-analysis. Time to flatus was reduced by gum chewing (mean difference compared to control (MD): -11 h, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) - 16 to - 5 h, P < 0.001). Time to defecation was reduced by gum chewing and coffee, with MDs of -18 h (95% CI - 23 to - 13 h, P < 0.001) and -13 h (95% CI - 24 to - 1 h, P < 0.001), respectively. Length of stay was reduced by coffee and gum chewing with MDs of - 1.5 days (95% CI: - 2.5 to - 0.6 days, P < 0.001) and - 0.9 days (95% CI: - 1.3 to - 0.4 days, P < 0.001), respectively.
CONCLUSION
Coffee and gum chewing were proven to be effective noninvasive approaches for shortening the postoperative length of hospital stay and time to first defecation, especially in open gastrointestinal surgery; thus these actions should be recommended after gastrointestinal surgery.
Topics: Humans; Defecation; Coffee; Network Meta-Analysis; Mastication; Flatulence; Ileus; Postoperative Complications; Digestive System Surgical Procedures; Chewing Gum; Length of Stay; Gastrointestinal Motility
PubMed: 37277676
DOI: 10.1007/s11605-023-05702-z