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AIMS AND OBJECTIVES This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the safety and feasibility of preoperative chewing gum in adult patients undergoing elective surgery. BACKGROUND Postoperative chewing gum has been shown to be safe and effective for most surgeries, while the safety and efficacy of preoperative chewing gum are still controversial. DESIGN A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials was performed. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION This was a meta-analysis involving no people or animals. METHODS The literature search was performed in 9 databases from inception to July 2022. Randomised controlled trials that compared the safety and efficacy of preoperative chewing gum and preoperative chewing no gum in adult patients undergoing elective surgery were included. The study was reported in compliance with PRISMA statement. TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42022330223. RESULTS Fourteen trials involving 1433 adult patients who undergo elective surgery were pooled in this meta-analysis. The results showed that preoperative chewing gum group resulted in no significant difference in gastric pH (p = .13) and gastric fluid volume (p = .25) compared with non-gum-chewing group. In comparison with the non-gum-chewing group, the gum-chewing group was associated with shorter preoperative thirst score (p = .02), lower incidence of postoperative nausea (p = .0004), lower incidence of postoperative sore throat, lower incidence of postoperative hoarseness, lower postoperative pain score, shorter first postoperative anal exhaust time (p < .00001), shorter first postoperative defecation time (p < .00001) and shorter hospital days (p = .02). CONCLUSIONS Preoperative chewing gum was associated with lower discomforts and complication rates, without increasing gastric pH and gastric fluid volume. This strategy may be an innovative, feasible and safe choice for elective surgery in adults. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE This study's results could be used as an evidence for the implementation of preoperative chewing gum in perioperative care for adult patients undergoing elective surgery.