Korean J Adult Nurs.  2016 Dec;28(6):637-645. 10.7475/kjan.2016.28.6.637.

Constipation in Patients following Orthopedic Surgery: Incidence and Influencing Factors

• Park JH
• Yun SO
• Kim SH
• Yu MG
• Ham EJ

• KMID: 2369081
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7475/kjan.2016.28.6.637

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the occurrences and the factors contributing to constipation in the post surgical period following major orthopedic surgery.
METHODS
The sample included 133 patients who had surgery of the hip, knee, or spine. Patients were excluded from the study if there was a history of bowel surgery or constipation from chart review. Data were collected using questionnaires such as Korean version of Modified Barthel index (K-MBI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS) before surgery and on the third postoperative day.
RESULTS
Reports of constipation occurred in 77 instances (57.9%). The first reported defecation was within 4.0±2.2 days following surgery. Mean days of first defecation of constipation group vs. non-constipation group was 5.5±1.7 days vs. 2.1±1.0 days. There were statistically significant differences between patients who reported than those who did not in terms of age, length of NPO period, postoperative ADL, and the reported incidents of preoperative and postoperative depressive symptoms. Postoperative ADL, age, and NPO period were significant influencing factors of constipation and explained 52.4% of the variance.
CONCLUSION
Constipation is a very common symptom for patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. These results indicate a need for improving patient's ADL after surgery to prevent constipation.

MeSH Terms

Activities of Daily Living
Anxiety
Constipation*
Defecation
Depression
Hip
Humans
Incidence*
Knee
Orthopedics*
Postoperative Period
Spine

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