Effects of Abdominal Massage or Lactic Acid Fermented Milk for Constipation in Patients Following Spinal Surgery

복부 마사지와 유산균 발효유가 척추 수술 환자의 변비 정도에 미치는 효과

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify effects of abdominal massage or oral lactic acid fermented milk to prevent constipation in patients immobilized after spinal surgery. Methods: Participants were 60 patients who underwent spinal surgery (20 in the abdominal massage group, 20 in the lactic acid group, and 20 in the control group). Preoperative constipation was assessed and after starting to eat following surgery, patients were given abdominal massage or lactic acid fermented milk for three days. Then bowel movements were checked using the constipation assessment scale and enemas. Results: Constipation score in the control group without treatment increased from $4.85{\pm}4.73$ to $10.25{\pm}4.28$ whereas, in the abdominal massage group or lactic acid group, the scores decreased from $6.40{\pm}3.71$ to $5.23{\pm}3.43$ and from $5.25{\pm}3.78$ to $4.50{\pm}3.18$ respectively. Also, enemas were given for 15 of 20 in the control group but only 7 of 20 in the abdominal massage group and 4 of 20 in lactic acid group. Conclusion: Results of this study indicate that abdominal massage or lactic acid fermented milk to alleviate constipation in patients with immobility following spinal surgery is highly effective according to the constipation score and need for enemas.