Determining Preoperative Constipation Risk for Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty

Background: Problems regarding bowel elimination are quite common in patients undergoing surgery. Aim: This research was made as a descriptive study to assess the risk of preoperative constipation for orthopedics patients. Method: Research was conducted in Kastamonu State Hospital Orthopedics and Traumatology service, between March 2018 and September 2018. This study has been run with 91 patients who applied for the Orthopedics and Traumatology department at Kastamonu State Hospital and are suitable for the criteria of inclusion and also accepted to participate in. Data were collected via Patient Identification Form and Constipation Risk Assessment Scale and by using face to face interviews. Results: Data were analyzed by number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, the Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance and using t test in independent groups. The 89.1% percent of the patients who participated in the study were in medium risk groups in terms of the development of constipation. Constipation Risk Assessment Scale average score was determined to be 13.1 ± 1.59 (medium risk). Conclusion: It was determined that orthopedics and traumatology patients who participated in the study were at moderate risk for the development of constipation in the preoperative period.