Application of self-management program for lower and middle rectal cancer patients after sphincter preservation surgery based on internet plus: A retrospective cohort study

Surgical resection, particularly sphincter preservation surgery, is the primary treatment for lower and middle rectal cancer. However, patients often struggle with self-managing postoperative intestinal symptoms after discharge. To explore the construction and application of self-management program for lower and middle rectal cancer patients after sphincter preservation surgery based on Internet Plus. Clinical data of 80 patients with lower/middle rectal cancer undergoing sphincter preservation surgery (July 2022-July 2023) were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into control (n = 40, routine nursing measures) and observation (n = 40, postoperative self-management program based on Internet Plus) groups. The general information, negative emotions, self-management scores, and quality of life before discharge and 1 month after discharge were compared. There was no significant difference in general information, hospital anxiety and depression scale scores, self-management scores, and WHOQOL-100 scores before intervention between the 2 groups (P >.05). After intervention, the hospital anxiety and depression scale scores of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P <.05). Both groups showed improvement in self-management, and the self-management scores of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group after intervention (P <.05). Also, the WHOQOL-100 scores of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P <.05). The Internet Plus-based postoperative self-management program may improve self-management abilities, reduce negative emotions, and enhance quality of life in lower and middle rectal cancer patients after sphincter preservation surgery, though further randomized studies are needed to confirm causality. This program may serve as a scalable model to bridge post-discharge care gaps, particularly in resource-limited settings, potentially enhancing patient outcomes and reducing healthcare burdens.