The Impact of Preoperative Bowel Exercise on Postoperative Bowel Functions in Gynecologic Malignancies

Gastrointestinal dysfunction is a common complication after abdominal gynecologic oncology surgery. There are numerous studies in the literature addressing the management of bowel function in the postoperative period. Unfortunately, the strategies in the literature are not one hundred percent successful, and complete prevention of postoperative bowel dysfunction cannot be achieved. There is no study in the literature demonstrating that abdominal exercises given to patients undergoing surgery for gynecological malignancies in the preoperative period improve gastrointestinal function in the postoperative period. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of an exercise plan, including abdominal massage and rectal digital stimulation, performed before gynecologic oncology surgery on postoperative bowel functions.