Postoperative wound infections after a proctectomy—Patient experiences

Abstract

Poor perineal wound healing and infections after proctectomy surgery cause a significant proportion of physical and psychological morbidities, such as pain, leakage, and abscesses. In the long run, some of these symptoms will lead to extended periods of hospitalization. These kinds of postoperative complications are also associated with delays in possible chemotherapy treatment. The aim of this study was to describe patient experiences of perineal wound infections following proctectomy due to rectal cancer, and the importance of the communication with and the self-care support from the nurse for these patients. Five women and five men (61–87 years, median age 71 years) were included and interviewed. A qualitative content analysis of the interviews was carried out and the following main categories emerged: “Managing postoperative complications,” “Being independent,” “Feeling safe,” and “Accepting the situation.” A perineal wound infection after a proctectomy is devastating for the individual patient. The limitations and changes to the patients’ lives turn into new daily routines, which force them to find new ways to live and to accept the situation. For many of them, the infections remained for several months and, sometimes, for years. The ability to lead an independent life is drastically reduced, but through continuity in care it is possible to create a feeling of safety. Information, communication, and self-care support are all important and valuable factors for recovery. Specialized care containing an action plan is therefore needed in clinical practice to reduce the number of perineal wound infections postoperatively and should be initiated when the patient is discharged from the ward and continue until recovery.

Open Surgical Incisions After Colorectal Surgery Improve Quality Metrics, But Do Patients Benefit?

“…Measuring the emotional impact of these long care issues are difficult to completely quantify but should not be trivialized. 20…”

Patients' experience of patient safety information and participation in care during a hospital stay

“…Furthermore, being a patient and suffering from medical harm can result in both physical and psychosocial problems for the patient (Joelsson‐Alm et al, 2014 ), financial hardship as well as loss of the patient's trust in the healthcare system and its providers (Southwick et al, 2015 ). An AE can additionally limit the patient's independence and autonomy due to resulting physical problems and an increased need for care (Hassel et al, 2016 ).…”