Aim: The aim of this paper is to develop an evidence-based clinical protocol for the use of gum chewing in postoperative care to reduce the risk of paralytic postoperative ileus in patients who have undergone abdominal surgery. Methods: A clinical question (For adult patients who have undergone abdominal surgery, does the use of gum chewing postoperatively reduce the risk of paralytic postoperative ileus in comparison with the usual care regimen?) was formulated, a population and setting were defined, and the databases OVID Medline®, CINAHL, and PubMed were searched for relevant material. Six data-based research articles were chosen for review: four randomized controlled trials and two meta-analyses. Finally, the articles were critically appraised to generate evidence on which to base the clinical protocol. Results: The development team created a detailed description of the clinical protocol as well as a protocol algorithm to assist clinicians in determining patient eligibility. In addition, protocol implementation and evaluation plans were proposed. Conclusion: An evidence-based clinical protocol was developed to provide a template for identification of patients eligible for gum chewing, implementation, and evaluation of this intervention to reduce the risk of paralytic postoperative ileus after abdominal surgery., Renáta Zeleníková, Anthony Chao, Gloria Enright, Mary Rogers Schubert, Kaitlin Shotsberger, Cecelia Wise, Elizabeth A. Schlenk, and Literatura