J Educ Res Nurs. 2024; 21(4): 319-324 | DOI: 10.14744/jern.2024.90907

Effect of Abdominal Massage on Constipation after Cardiac Surgery

Gamze Ataman Yıldız¹, Fadime Çınar², Ersin Kadiroğulları³, Fatma Eti Aslan^4
1Department of Nursing, Bahcesehir Universty, Faculty of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye
²Department of Nursing, Nişantaşı University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye
³Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Istanbul Mehmet Akif Ersoy Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye
⁴Department of Nursing, Bahcesehir University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye

Background: Although the incidence of gastrointestinal complications after cardiovascular surgery is rare, patients have been reported to experience constipation in the week following discharge.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of abdominal massage on constipation after cardiac surgery.

Methods: A prospective, randomized controlled experimental study was conducted in the cardiovascular surgery clinic of Mehmet Akif Ersoy Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital between September 2022 and July 2023. A total of 130 patients were randomly assigned to the experimental or control group using a simple randomization method. Abdominal massage was performed on the experimental group, while the control group received routine care. Data were collected from the first day after surgery using a 21-item questionnaire. The first flatulence and defecation times of the patients were assessed and recorded.

Results: The mean age of the experimental group was 55.2 ± 13.3 years, while the mean age of the control group was 60.4 ± 10.6 years (P = 0.015). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of sociodemographic characteristics. Bowel sounds began earlier in the experimental group (70.8% on the first postoperative day) compared to the control group (46.2% on the first postoperative day) (X2 = 16.629; P = 0.005). The first flatulence time in the control group (x̄ = 46.415 hours) was higher than in the experimental group (x̄ = 31.262 hours). Postoperative defecation time was longer in the control group (x̄ = 99.51 hours) compared to the experimental group (x̄ = 61.611 hours).

Conclusion: Abdominal massage has been shown to positively impact the prevention of constipation in patients after cardiac surgery. It is a non-invasive, easy-to-apply, and reliable method recommended for use in postoperative care.

Keywords: Abdominal massage, cardiac surgery, constipation, nursing care, patient care

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