PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the occurrences and the factors contributing to constipation in the post surgical period following major orthopedic surgery.
METHODS
The sample included 133 patients who had surgery of the hip, knee, or spine. Patients were excluded from the study if there was a history of bowel surgery or constipation from chart review. Data were collected using questionnaires such as Korean version of Modified Barthel index (K-MBI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS) before surgery and on the third postoperative day.
RESULTS
Reports of constipation occurred in 77 instances (57.9%). The first reported defecation was within 4.0±2.2 days following surgery. Mean days of first defecation of constipation group vs. non-constipation group was 5.5±1.7 days vs. 2.1±1.0 days. There were statistically significant differences between patients who reported than those who did not in terms of age, length of NPO period, postoperative ADL, and the reported incidents of preoperative and postoperative depressive symptoms. Postoperative ADL, age, and NPO period were significant influencing factors of constipation and explained 52.4% of the variance.
CONCLUSION
Constipation is a very common symptom for patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. These results indicate a need for improving patient's ADL after surgery to prevent constipation.

Citations

• The effect of kinesiophobia on gastrointestinal disorders in patients with lower extremity orthopedic surgery
  Huseyin Gunes, Semra Bulbuloglu, Serdar Saritas, Ahmet Ozdemir
  Frontiers in Surgery.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Efficacy of an Iranian herbal medicine formula for postoperative constipation in trauma patients with hip and lower limb fractures: A triple-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial
  Rezvan Ghafarzadegan, Mohammadreza Zarei, Nahid Norouzi, Neda Mirbagher Ajorpaz, Seyedeh Mahsa Lotfi, Sayyed Mehdi Rasooli Manesh, Hossein Akbari, AliReza Abedi
  International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing.2025; 57: 101163.     CrossRef
• A Common Complication in Orthopedic Patients: Postoperative Constipation and Related Risk Factors
  Hesna G..rler, Fatma Tok Y..ld..z, Fatma Bekmez
  Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing.2023; 38(5): e15.     CrossRef
• Constipation After Elective Laparoscopy for Benign Gynecological Indications–A Prospective Observational Study
  Paul Berlund, Charlotte Reddington, Claudia Cheng, Martin Healey
  Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology.2023; 30(10): 827.     CrossRef
• Prevalence of Constipation and related Factors in Patients with Lower Extremity Fracture Surgery
  Ok-Hee Cho, Hyerim Seo, Jeongeun Yoon
  The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing.2023; 26(1): 8.     CrossRef
• Effect of Acupressure and Abdominal Massage on Constipation in Patients with Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Study
  Mahinur Durmuş İskender, Nurcan Çalışkan
  Clinical Nursing Research.2022; 31(3): 453.     CrossRef
• Randomized Controlled Trial of a Natural Food-Based Fiber Solution to Prevent Constipation in Postoperative Spine Fusion Patients
  Deborah Wittig-Wells, Pam Sapp, Melinda Higgins, Erica Davis, Jessica Carter, Ani Jacob
  Orthopaedic Nursing.2019; 38(6): 367.     CrossRef
• Opioid induced constipation management in orthopaedic and trauma patients: treatment and the potential of nurse-initiated management
  Olivia Sonneborn, Thuy Bui
  International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing.2019; 34: 16.     CrossRef