Postoperative care for rectal cancer

Everyone must be curious about the postoperative care for rectal cancer. Rectal cancer surgery is different from other diseases. The secrecy and necessity of the wound determine that postoperative care for rectal cancer will definitely not be an easy task. Let’s take a look at the specific measures for postoperative care of rectal cancer.

1) Observation of the patient's condition: ① After returning to the ward, closely observe changes in the patient's vital signs, bleeding, exudate and drainage from the wound dressings; ② Observe the healing of the incision; ③ Observe the nature and frequency of the patient's bowel movements and whether the patient has abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, constipation or intestinal obstruction.

2) Diet care: Fasting for 2 to 3 days after surgery. During the fasting period, gastrointestinal decompression, intravenous fluid replacement, and antibiotics are administered. After the intestinal peristalsis function is restored and the anus is exhausted, stop gastrointestinal decompression and eat a small amount of liquid food. If there is no abdominal distension, you can eat semi-liquid food. You can eat soft food in about 1 week, and after 2 weeks, you can eat normal food with less residue.

3) Early activity: After rectal cancer surgery, lie flat for 6 hours. If there are no contraindications, change to a semi-recumbent position and try to get out of bed and move around as early as possible. This can promote the recovery of intestinal peristalsis function and prevent intestinal adhesions.

4) Care of the drainage tube: Observe and record the nature, quantity, and color of the drainage fluid in the presacral drainage tube. After 2 to 3 days, if the drainage fluid is less than 10 ml per day and is non-bloody fluid, consider removing the tube.

5) Care of the catheter after rectal cancer surgery: The retention time is 1 to 2 weeks. During the retention period, urinary tract infection should be prevented. Before removing the catheter, the catheter must be clamped to exercise the bladder's contraction function. Do not do enema within 7 to 10 days.

6) Care of artificial anus (colostomy).

From the above we know a lot about postoperative care for rectal cancer. In addition to paying attention to the patient's physical symptoms after surgery, the patient's family should also be concerned about the patient's psychological changes. Many patients are ashamed to change their stool bags every time, and they will mind other people's strange looks or even curious inquiries. Finally, I hope that the patients and their families can overcome the difficulties smoothly.