Postoperative ileus and nonpharmacological nursing interventions for colorectal surgery: a systematic review

Abstract

Purpose: This review evaluates nonpharmacological interventions for postoperative ileus (POI) prevention and treatment. Design: We systematically reviewed articles from various databases between January 2012 and February 2023 on POI prevention in colorectal surgery patients, emphasizing nursing interventions. Methods: Inclusion was based on criteria such as language (English or Turkish), date range, and study type. The risk of bias was evaluated using Cochrane's RoB2 tool. Findings: Of the 3,497 articles found, 987 unique articles were considered. After title and abstract reviews, 977 articles were excluded, leaving 52 randomized controlled trials for examination. Common interventions included chewing gum, early hydration, acupuncture, and coffee consumption. Compared to control groups, intervention groups had quicker bowel function return, shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, and enhanced quality of life. Conclusion: Nondrug nursing interventions post colorectal surgery can effectively mitigate POI, optimize bowel function, and boost patient satisfaction, warranting their incorporation into post-surgery care protocols.