Enhanced recovery after surgery-based nursing in older patients with postoperative intestinal obstruction after gastric cancer surgery: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer-related morbidity and mortality rates are high in China. Patients who have undergone gastric cancer surgery should receive six cycles of chemotherapy according to their condition. During this period, intestinal obstruction is likely to occur. Electrolyte balance disorders, peritonitis, intestinal necrosis, and even hypovolemic shock and septic shock can seriously affect the physical and mental recovery of patients and threaten their health and quality of life (QoL). AIM To quantitatively explore the effects of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS)–based nursing on anxiety, depression, and QoL of elderly patients with postoperative intestinal obstruction after gastric cancer. METHODS The clinical data of 129 older patients with intestinal obstruction after gastric cancer surgery who were treated and cared for in our hospital between January 2019 and December 2021 were examined retrospectively. Nine patients dropped out because of transfer, relocation, or death. According to the order of admissions, the patients were categorized into either a comparison group or an observation group according to the random number table, with 60 cases in each group. RESULTS After nursing care, the observation group required significantly less time to eat for the first time, recover bowel sounds, pass gas, and defecate than the comparison group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was noted in nutrition-related indicators between the two groups before care. Before care, the Symptom Check List-90 scores between the two groups were comparable, whereas anxiety, depression, paranoia, fear, hostility, obsession, somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, and psychotic scores were significantly lower in the observation group after care (P < 0.05). The QoL scores between the two groups before care did not differ significantly. After care, the physical, social, physiological, and emotional function scores; mental health score; vitality score; and general health score were significantly higher in the observation group, whereas the somatic pain score was significantly lower in the observation group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION ERAS-based nursing combined with conventional nursing interventions can effectively improve patient’s QoL, negative emotions, and nutritional status; accelerate the time to first ventilation; and promote intestinal function recovery in elderly patients with postoperative intestinal obstruction after gastric cancer surgery.