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Bowel symptoms and self-care strategies of survivors in the process of restoration after low anterior resection of rectal cancer

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this research is to identify the bowel symptoms and self-care strategies for rectal cancer survivors during the recovery process following low anterior resection surgery. METHODS: A total of 100 participants were investigated under the structured interview guide based on t...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Yin, Lishi, Fan, Ling, Tan, Renfu, Yang, Guangjing, Jiang, Fenglin, Zhang, Chao, Ma, Jun, Yan, Yang, Zou, Yanhong, Zhang, Yaowen, Wang, Yamei, Zhang, Guifang
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: BioMed Central 2018
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5987619/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29866087
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12893-018-0368-5
Descripción
Sumario:BACKGROUND: The purpose of this research is to identify the bowel symptoms and self-care strategies for rectal cancer survivors during the recovery process following low anterior resection surgery. METHODS: A total of 100 participants were investigated under the structured interview guide based on the dimensions of “symptom management theory”. RESULTS: 92% of participants reported changes in bowel habits, the most common being the frequent bowel movements and narrower stools, which we named it finger-shaped consistency stools. The 6 most frequently reported bowel symptoms were excessive flatus (93%), clustering (86%), urgency (77%), straining (62%), bowel frequency (57%) and anal pendant expansion (53%). Periodic bowel movements occurred in 19% participants. For a group of 79 participants at 6 to 24 months post-operation, 86.1% reported a significant improvement of bowel symptoms. Among 68 participants of this subgroup with significant improvements, 70.5% participants reported the length of time it took was at least 6 months. Self-care strategies adopted by participants included diet, bowel medications, practice management and exercise. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to educate patients on the symptoms experienced following low anterior resection surgery. Through the process of trial and error, participants have acquired self-care strategies. Healthcare professionals should learn knowledge of such strategies and help them build effective interventions.