Effect of rapid rehabilitation surgical nursing on patients' gastrointestinal function recovery and sleep quality after laparoscopic appendectomy.

Background: Appendicitis is a common acute abdominal pain disorder. Laparoscopic appendectomy, a commonly used modality, is associated with less trauma and faster recovery than traditional open appendectomy. However, postoperative recovery remains an important issue that affects rehabilitation quality and surgical results.

Aim: To explore the effects of rapid rehabilitation and surgical nursing care on gastrointestinal function recovery and sleep quality among patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy.

Methods: A total of 120 patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy at our hospital between January 2019 and March 2024 and for whom complete clinical data were available were selected. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 60 each) using the random number table method. The control group received routine nursing care, while the experimental group received rapid rehabilitation surgical nursing care; all patients continued to receive nursing care until discharge. The recovery of gastrointestinal function, length of hospital stay, complications, Pittsburgh sleep quality index, and nursing satisfaction were compared between groups.

Results: Following the implementation of effective nursing measures, the times to bowel sound recovery, first exhaust, first defecation, and first feeding were notably shorter in the study vs control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the duration of the first postoperative activity and the length of hospital stay were significantly shorter in the study vs control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the study group exhibited better sleep quality than the control group (P < 0.05). The postoperative complication rate was significantly lower and the nursing satisfaction rate significantly higher in the study vs control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Rapid rehabilitation surgical nursing interventions provided to patients after laparoscopic appendectomy can accelerate their postoperative recovery, reduce the occurrence of complications, and improve their sleep quality and nursing satisfaction.