Coping with bowel dysfunction after low anterior resection for rectal cancer: A qualitative synthesis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study synthesized existing qualitative research on patients' experiences of bowel dysfunction following low anterior resection for rectal cancer and examined the strategies they use to cope and adapt to related challenges.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for qualitative studies published up to June 2025, supplemented by reference screening. A meta-ethnographic approach was employed to integrate findings interpretively while preserving the contextual depth of individual studies.

Results

Twenty-two studies involving 415 participants were included. Three overarching themes emerged: (1) living with uncertainty, (2) experiencing social isolation and disconnection, an

SUBMITTER: Kim EY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12517071 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature