One of the most common nursing care problems after surgery is defecation problems and the risk of constipation. The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of the squatting position with footstool on the constipation severity and defecation problems in the postoperative period in patients with hernia surgery.
In this study, after the surgical procedure, the patients were placed in a squatting position by placing a stool under their feet in the toilet.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
102
Before the study, the height of the toilet bowls in the patient rooms was measured as 42 cm. The stools to be used for the study are manufactured by ordering laminated with white medium density fiberboard and synthetic resin resistant to harsh chemicals. Stools are made of high quality non-slip materials for patient safety. After the first postoperative ambulation, stable patients whose bowel movements resumed met their initial defecation needs with the squatting position created using a stool at the appropriate height on the water closet type toilet. The patients used footstools throughout a week after discharge at home and in the hospital for defecation.
Karabuk University
Karabük, Turkey (Türkiye)
Change from before surgery in The Constipation Severity Scale (CSS) average score
Constipation Severity Scale (CSS) aims to determine individuals' defecation frequency, intensity, and difficulty. The CSS consists of 16 items and three sub dimensions, namely Excrement Congestion, Large Bowel Laziness, and Pain. The lowest score that can be attained from the CSS is 0 while the highest score that can be attained is 73.
Time frame: Data were collected before surgery, post-op 1st day, post-op 2nd day and on the 7th day after discharge. All of the patients were discharged on the 2nd postoperative day.
Difficulty pushing in defecation average score
Average score on a scale from 0 to 4. 0 I did not experience any difficulties, 1 I had mild difficulties, 2 I had some difficulties, 3 I had a lot of difficulties, 4 I experienced extreme difficulties.
Time frame: Data were collected post-op 2nd day and on the 7th day after discharge. All of the patients were discharged on the 2nd postoperative day.
Duration of defecation, average minutes
The time (minutes) the patient spent defecation.
Time frame: Data were collected post-op 2nd day and on the 7th day after discharge. All of the patients were discharged on the 2nd postoperative day.
Defecation pain average score
The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) consists of a 10 cm line used to evaluate defecation pain by scoring it between 1 and 10.
Time frame: Data were collected post-op 2nd day and on the 7th day after discharge. All of the patients were discharged on the 2nd postoperative day.
Stool consistency
Bristol Stool Scale (BSS) is designed to classify the form of human faeces into seven categories. Types 1-2, hard; types 3-5, normal; types 6-7, loose/liquid
Time frame: Data were collected post-op 2nd day and on the 7th day after discharge. All of the patients were discharged on the 2nd postoperative day.
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Fear of pushing in defecation average score
Average score on a scale from 0 to 4. 0 No Fear, 1 Slightly Scared, 2 Slightly Scared, 3 Very Afraid, 4 Extremely Too Afraid.
Time frame: Data were collected post-op 2nd day and on the 7th day after discharge. All of the patients were discharged on the 2nd postoperative day.