Starting to “move” soon after surgery is an important expectation for patients. Can patients with gastric cancer move as usual immediately after laparoscopic surgery, which is minimally invasive? If not, how soon and how to move are questions that many patients ask.
Multiple advantages of early postoperative activity
Early postoperative bedtime activity promotes recovery of multiple systems, including cardiopulmonary and exercise, and prevents pulmonary infections, decubitus ulcers, and deep vein thrombosis, as well as accelerates recovery of gastrointestinal function.
Laparoscopic surgery is less traumatic to the abdominal wall and less painful postoperatively, providing great convenience for patients to be able to get out of bed early.
How do you start “moving” gradually?
How to start “moving” gradually?
After 6 to 18 hours after laparoscopy, the patient is awake and ready to move to a semi-recumbent position or do a moderate amount of bed activity. The patient can be turned and patted every 2 hours, and breathing exercises (deep breathing, effective coughing) can be enhanced under the direction of the healthcare provider.
18 to 36 hours postoperatively, patients can begin early bedside activities with assistance, sitting, standing, and walking around the bedside once in the morning and once in the afternoon for 15 to 20 minutes each time.
Postoperatively 36 hours later, patients can begin indoor activities with assistance, walking around the bed on their own, once in the morning and once in the afternoon, for an extended period of 20 to 30 minutes.
Postoperatively 48 hours later, patients can be encouraged to get out of bed on their own, gradually increasing the number, duration, and intensity of activities, and encouraging daily activities such as washing and toileting on their own.
After laparoscopy, the patient is not immediately “mobile”, but the process of resuming activity is greatly reduced compared with conventional surgery, which greatly reflects the advantages of laparoscopic surgery. The early return to activity has many benefits for the patient, but the specific form and method of activity should follow the actual advice of the clinician. (Contributed by Han-Yu Chen, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, The First Hospital of China Medical University)