Chewing Gum Prior to Surgery May Be Okay

Patients scheduled for surgeries are told to avoid eating or drinking anything after a given time so prevent the build-up of stomach acids which can lead to surgical complications. However, patients sometimes break away from instructions and enjoy a piece of gum. Until now, this was grounds to reschedule the surgery but Daniel Cook of Outpatient Surgery Magazine reports that this precaution may not be necessary.

Cook reports that researchers, led by Basavana Goudra, MD of the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, found that “although chewing gum before surgery increases the production of saliva and therefore the volume of stomach liquids, it does not affect the level of stomach acidity in a way that would elevate complication risks.” 

Although chewing gum prior to surgery still is not advisable, it is not enough of a reason for surgeons to reschedule.  You can read the full article here.