Preoperative nursing measures for laryngeal cancer patients

Patients with laryngeal cancer have a foreign body sensation in the throat, discomfort when swallowing, pain when swallowing, or an irritating cough. The sputum sometimes contains blood. In severe cases, breathing difficulties and a lump can be felt in the neck. It can be seen that the patient is in great pain and needs timely surgical treatment. However, the patient must adjust his or her mental and physical state before treatment and be in a good condition to welcome the operation.

So, what preparations do patients need to make before surgery? Below, I will introduce the nursing measures that laryngeal cancer patients need to take before surgery:

(1) Psychological care: Provide comfort and explanation to the patient and his/her family members, care for and show consideration for the patient, meet their reasonable needs, and enable the patient to face the surgery in a good psychological state. Before total laryngectomy, the patient and his/her family members should be mentally prepared and the necessity of the surgery should be clearly explained. The patient (the patient who is undergoing postoperative follow-up) can be asked to share his/her personal experience and explain that he/she can practice pronunciation or use an artificial larynx after the surgery to solve the problem of postoperative language communication. This can eliminate the patient's concerns about the surgery.

(2) If there are symptoms such as sudden local swelling, extreme difficulty breathing, and increased pulse rate, it should be considered that the tumor is necrotic and bleeding and compressing the trachea. It is necessary to notify the doctor in time and prepare for treatment immediately. Therefore, emergency measures such as tracheotomy trays, suction devices, and oxygen should be prepared at all times.

(3) Patients who need radiotherapy or chemotherapy before surgery should avoid smoking and drinking alcohol before radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer, reduce irritation to the throat, and develop good living habits; strengthen oral care, rinse the mouth with mouthwash 2 to 3 times a day, clear oral lesions, remove residual teeth, treat caries, and prevent oral infections.

Closely observe the breathing difficulties caused by laryngeal edema and spasm caused by radiotherapy. If necessary, oxygen inhalation or dexamethasone added to intravenous infusion can reduce the occurrence of laryngeal edema and spasm. After radiotherapy, the skin in the irradiated area should be kept clean and dry, physical and chemical stimulation should be reduced, oral hygiene should be paid attention to, and regular check-ups should be performed. Patients who need chemotherapy need to strengthen nutrition and improve immunity. Malnutrition caused by adverse reactions of the digestive system after chemotherapy should be avoided.

The above is an introduction to the nursing measures that laryngeal cancer patients need to take before surgery. I believe everyone has understood that laryngeal cancer patients need to be psychologically cared for and have a good attitude to welcome the surgery. Patients should be closely observed before surgery to avoid danger. Patients who need radiotherapy and chemotherapy before surgery should also be cared for safely through this stage.