Comfort, targeted nursing speed recovery in colorectal surgery patients

Editor's Note

Pairing comfort nursing with targeted surgical care improves recovery, reduces pain, and enhances satisfaction for colorectal cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery, according to an American Journal of Managed Care August 18 article covering a study published in Annali Italiani di Chirurgia.

As detailed in the article, the researchers conducted a retrospective study of 165 patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery between February 2022 and February 2024. Patients were divided into two groups: one received “routine” nursing, while the other received a combination of perioperative comfort nursing and targeted OR care. Outcome metrics tracked included recovery milestones, stress response markers, pain levels, satisfaction, and long-term functional and psychological measures.

Patients in the combined care group had shorter times to first flatus, ambulation, oral intake, and anastomotic healing, as well as shorter hospital stays and lower infection rates. Stress markers such as serum amyloid A, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein rose after surgery in both groups, but were significantly lower in patients who received the dual nursing intervention. Patients also reported less pain on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7, and higher levels of nursing satisfaction.

Longer-term outcomes were notable: at both 6 months and 1 year post-surgery, these patients demonstrated better functional recovery, improved quality of life, and lower levels of anxiety and depression compared with those receiving standard care.

The researchers acknowledged limitations, including the single-center setting, small sample size, and lack of analysis of comorbidities or other risk factors. Despite these constraints, the study supports the integration of comfort nursing with targeted surgical practices to improve both short- and long-term outcomes for colorectal surgery patients.