Postoperative Period
Written by Rhiana Devadasan
Postoperative Period = starts immediately after the operation and ends when the patient leaves the hospital.
OUTCOME OF POST OPERATIVE PERIOD
Depends on:
- Main disease
- Operative trauma
- Preoperative preparation
- Analgesia
- Age
- General condition
- Concomitant disease
PARAMETERS TO FOLLOW AND MONITOR
General condition
- Temperature
- Pulse
- Breathing
- Respiratory rate
- Diuresis
- Central venous pressure (CVP)
- Full blood count
- Intensive care unit – beneficial because of the increased no. of personnel w/ 24 hour care
Position of patient in bed
- (promote early mobilisation of patient from the bed. Standing & walking activates peristalsis)
GI monitoring & Feeding
- Peristalsis (medication of peristalsis stimulation)
- Enema tube - for release of bowels
- Parenteral Feeding (Carbohydrates 150-250g/24h i.e. sorbitol, fructose and glucose; Proteins i.e. amino acids, proteins, plasma, haemoglobin/blood)
- Early enteral feeding (1st-2nd postoperative day) -Prevents postoperative ileus (transient impairment of bowel function and motility following surgery i.e. no passage of gas or stools) as well as Paresis (partial loss of the capacity to carry out voluntary movements)
Operative wound
- Use bandage, dressings and drainage of secretions
Functioning of drains, tubes and catheters
- Check type of secretion as well as volume
Infectious and thromboembolic prophylaxis
- Give antibiotics
- Compression stockings to decrease DVT