Facilitating return of bowel function after colorectal surgery: alvimopan and gum chewing.

Postoperative ileus is common after colorectal surgery, and has a huge impact on hospital LOS. With the impeding cost crisis in the United States, safely reducing length of stay is essential. Chewing gum and pharmacological treatment with alvimopan are safe, simple tools to reduce postoperative ileus and its associated costs. Future research will determine if integrating these tools with laparoscopic procedures and enhanced recovery pathways is a best practice in colorectal surgery.