Review of the Nursing Care for Rectal Cancer Patients with Defecation Disorder Following Anterior Resection

Abstract

purpose of this study was to investigate nursing care of patients who have undergone anterior resection for rectal cancer, concerning reduction of defecation disorder. Analysis of 13 nursing studies 11 Japanese, 2 English and 5 medical studies 2 Japanese, 3 English elucidated aspects whereby diiculties with unpredictable defecation and fecal incontinence were dealt with by trial and error. Although only a small number of cases were reported, the eeect of reduced defecation frequency due to pelvic oor muscle training was indicated. Furthermore, biofeedback was indicated as an eeective method for conducting pelvic oor exercises. For nursing outcome, focus is necessary not only on symptoms improvement, but also on acquisition of feelings of control including awareness and judgment leading to appropriate defecation. Future issues include methods of pelvic oor muscle including biofeedback and how to promote self-care, discussion of nursing outcome, and progress in research validating nursing care. 13 11 2 5 2 3