Menthol Chewing Gum After Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery

Postoperative nausea and vomiting and delayed return of bowel function are commonconcerns following laparoscopic colorectal surgery and may affect postoperative recovery.Chewing gum is a non‐pharmacological intervention that may stimulate gastrointestinalactivity.This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of menthol chewing gum onpostoperative nausea and vomiting, bowel function, and recovery in patients undergoinglaparoscopic colorectal surgery. Participants were randomly allocated to an interventiongroup or a control group.Both groups received routine postoperative treatment and nursing care. In theintervention group, participants chewed menthol gum for 30 minutes and repeated theintervention three hours later. The same procedure was applied on the first, second, andthird postoperative days. Participants in the control group received routinepostoperative treatment and care without menthol chewing gum.Postoperative nausea, bowel function, and recovery status were evaluated during the firstthree postoperative days. Postoperative recovery was assessed using the Surgical RecoveryStatus Scale, and nausea intensity was assessed using a Visual Analog Scale.