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TRIAL DISCOVERY: Harriet Wright, right, with colleagues
A PIONEERING study at Dorset County Hospital has found that chewing gum can aid recovery from major
surgery.
Colorectal nurse consultant Harriet Wright and her colleagues have discovered that bowel surgery patients who chew gum three times a day make a faster recovery than those who don't.
The findings will help free up beds and it is hoped other hospitals could soon follow Dorset in recommending chewing gum.
Ms Wright said: "Hopefully this will become practice now - it certainly doesn't do any harm.
"The main outcome for the trust is that it gets patients better and home quicker. It is something we are going to publish the results of."
The trial lasted six months at Dorset County Hospital. It found that bowel patients chewing gum were able to tolerate oral fluids and solid food quicker.
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Their bowel function also returned to normal one-and-a-half days earlier than those without gum. Ms Wright carried out the research as part of her MSc in gastrointestinal disease at King's College, London, and was awarded the highest mark in her year for the work.
She said patients and colleagues had been very supportive - especially staff on Abbotsbury and Lulworth wards.
"It was quite time consuming but pretty rewarding," she said.
"As a result of this study we now recommend gum after surgery to help bowels to recover quicker. It's certainly something that can be done without too much cost or intervention."
Hospital chief executive Jan Bergman said: "As part of our ambition to become one of the best district general hospitals in the country it is important we encourage innovation and research.
"Harriet is a first-rate nurse and has typically come up with an idea that will improve the care of patients.
"I know her patients would like to congratulate her and all the staff involved in this successful trial, as will the hospital."
Ms Wright will speak about her research at a conference in Birmingham next month.
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