Investigation of the relationship of mobilization status with postoperative gastrointestinal symptoms and pain in patients undertaking abdominal surgery

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between mobilization status and postoperative gastrointestinal symptoms and pain in patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Research is correlational and prospective study. Study was conducted with patients (n=130) undergoing abdominal surgery in university hospital. Research were collected between April and September 2021. Data were collected with the "Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics Form", "Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale", "Patient Mobility and Observer Mobility Scale", "Patient Mobility (Mobilization) Chart" and "Numerical Pain Scale". Mobilization status of patients was evaluated on first and discharge days, and their mobilization frequency and pain status were evaluated every day until discharge period after surgery. Gastrointestinal symptoms were evaluated on seventh day after surgery. Spearman and Pearson Correlation analysis were used in data analysis. Mean first mobilization time of patients in postoperative period was 22.13±0.57 hours. Mean mobility level score of patients in first 48 hours was 14.22±0.33 for patient and 3.49±0.59 for the observer. Mean mobility level at discharge was 5.22±0.16 for patient and 1.25±0.46 for observer. It was determined that level of mobilization frequency and pain increased while patients' mobilization difficulty level increased. Gastrointestinal symptoms; abdominal pain 7.61±0.19, indigestion 11.94±0.23, reflux, 2.04±0.32, diarrhea 5.02±0.32 and constipation 4.65±0.24. while patients' mobilization difficulty level increased, abdominal pain, diarrhea, indigestion, reflux and delayed first gas time increased. It was found that as the frequency of mobilization increased abdominal pain, diarrhea and time to first flatulence decreased. Mobilization status were found to be effective in reducing gastrointestinal symptoms, pain experienced by patients. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out studies to increase mobilization status of patients.