Ear Massage Effect on Bowel Activity After Surgery

Overview

Constipation is seen in patients undergoing orthopedic surgical interventions at rates as high as 23% to 94%. Constipation develops more frequently in individuals undergoing major orthopedic surgical interventions such as lower extremity arthroplasties and lower extremity fracture repairs. Ear massage is one of the methods that is thought to be effective in preventing or reducing constipation that may develop in the early period by activating the parasympathetic nervous system after surgical intervention, increasing intestinal peristalsis and emptying the intestinal contents. The ear both contains its own unique points and is directly or indirectly connected to 12 body meridians. Massage applied to the ear provides balance between vital energy (qi) and blood flow (yin-yang) (12). The qi of the person stimulated by massaging these points in the ear is connected to certain organs such as the intestines through channels or meridians. Thanks to this connection, bowel movements can be stimulated and constipation can be eliminated. Ear massage has the potential to be an effective non-pharmacological method for the relief of gastrointestinal problems such as constipation.

Constipation, which frequently develops after surgical intervention and is an undesirable problem, is seen at high rates ranging from 23% to 94% in patients undergoing orthopedic surgical intervention. This rate varies according to the type of surgical intervention performed and is higher especially in individuals undergoing major orthopedic surgical interventions such as lower extremity arthroplasties and lower extremity fracture repairs. Patients undergoing lower extremity surgery have mobility limitations before and after surgical intervention, prolonged fasting before surgical intervention, dietary changes, surgical intervention performed under general anesthesia, opioid/nonopioid analgesia used in pain management, inability to take the appropriate position for defecation, use of bedpan, and applications such as plaster, traction, joint prosthesis that cause limitation of movement cause constipation in patients. Constipation causes patients to face many physiologic and psychologic problems such as restlessness, abdominal tension, epigastric pain, diaphragmatic tension, hypotension, tachycardia and delays postoperative recovery. Ear massage is one of the methods that is thought to be effective in preventing or reducing constipation that may develop in the early period by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, increasing intestinal peristalsis and emptying the intestinal contents after surgical intervention. Anatomically, the ear is an organ with dense vessels and nerves and the only peripheral branch of the vagus nerve is located in the outer ear. Stimulation of the points on the vagus nerve in the ear with ear massage can directly activate the parasympathetic nervous system. With the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, the neural networks in the digestive system, especially the vagovagal neurocircuits, become more active. With the activation of vagovagal neurocircuits, the enteric nervous system (ENS), which provides independent functioning of the intestines and other gastrointestinal organs, is activated. The ENS, whose activation increases with this interaction, regulates electrical and chemical transmission in the digestive tract and helps the intestines to function more efficiently. On the other hand, the ear is one of the most important organs in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The ear both contains its own specific points and is directly or indirectly connected to 12 body meridians. Massage applied to the ear ensures balance between vital energy (qi) and blood flow (yin-yang). The qi of the person stimulated by massaging these points in the ear is connected through channels or meridians to specific organs such as the intestines. This connection stimulates bowel movements and relieves constipation. Ear massage has the potential to be an effective non-pharmacologic method for the relief of gastrointestinal problems such as constipation. Although there are studies in the literature showing that massages applied to different areas such as the abdomen in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery have a positive effect on gastrointestinal system functions, there is no study examining the effect of ear massage on the excretory activities of patients undergoing lower extremity surgery. Based on the aforementioned information, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of ear massage on excretory activities (return time of bowel sounds, time to first defecation, number of bowel sounds and number of laxative use) in patients undergoing lower extremity surgery, who were at high risk for the development of constipation after surgical intervention.