TY - JOUR T1 - Perioperative use of chewing gum affects the inflammatory response and reduces postoperative ileus following major colorectal surgery JF - Evidence Based Medicine JO - Evid Based Med SP - 185 LP - 186 DO - 10.1136/ebmed-2015-110190 VL - 20 IS - 5 AU - Bruce U Su'a AU - Andrew G Hill Y1 - 2015/10/01 UR - http://ebm.bmj.com/content/20/5/185.abstract N2 - Commentary on: van den Heijkant TC, Costes LM, van der Lee DG, et al. Randomized clinical trial of the effect of gum chewing on postoperative ileus and inflammation in colorectal surgery. Br J Surg 2015;102:202–11.OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedPostoperative ileus (POI) affects one in four patients undergoing major elective abdominal surgery. It is associated with prolonged hospital stay and other postoperative complications, and carries a significant financial burden on healthcare facilities.1 Some studies suggest the inhibition of the inflammatory response after surgery may reduce the development of POI. Chewing gum is hypothesised to exert an effect via reduction of postoperative inflammation through cephalic vagal activation. Although a number of systematic reviews and meta-analyses have been published, the role of chewing gum in POI still remains unclear.2 Additionally, with the … ER -