Multimodal perioperative management programme on postoperative discomfort among clients undergoing abdominal surgery at a selected hospital in Mangaluru

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Apart from pain, numerous causes contribute to discomfort during the postoperative period. Hence, early postoperative nursing care should focus on reducing this discomfort. The present study aimed to find the effect of a management programme on postoperative discomfort (MPMP) among patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in a selected tertiary care hospital and included 183 adult patients who underwent laparotomy. The MPMP includes preoperative education, early ambulation, deep breathing exercises, and incentive spirometry. The participants were randomized into two interventional and one control group. The Intervention Group I patients performed deep breathing exercises and early ambulation after preoperative education, while Group II patients practiced incentive spirometry and early ambulation with preoperative education. The study included a control group who received routine nursing care. The primary outcome variable is postoperative discomfort (measured on days 1,3, and 5). Results: The MPMP showed a significant difference in discomfort factors like pain during day1(p=0.007) and days 3 and 5 (p<0.001). Non-pain symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, movement restriction discomfort due to IV drips, and feeling cold showed higher significance for Groups I and II on days 3 and 5. Similarly, dry mouth, abdominal distension, and constipation showed a significant difference (p<0.05) on days 3 and 5 between the groups at a 5% significance level. Conclusion: This study showed that postoperative discomforts could be minimized by the early practice of the MPMP program in patients undergoing surgery.