Introduction: Obstipation is one of the defecation disorders, that can affect every patient. Obstipation is not a disease, but common acute or chronical issue, which can be caused by many reasons. Post operative obstipation with orthopedic patients is mostly present within elderly population, due to use of opiod analgetics, comorbidity, reduced mobility and nourishment. Consequently, patients are under stress, suffer from obstipation side effects, and therefore hospitalisation can be prolonged and it affects their quality of life. Purpose: The purpose of this work is to theoretically resolve obstipation post orthopedic surgery, prevention possibilities, treatment and nursing management with non pharmacological approach. Methods: Descriptive method has been used with review of scientific literature in English and Slovenian language with the following limitations: full-text articles, scientific and reviewed journals, time period between 2000 and 2017. Discussion and conclusion: Nursing has an important role in managing postoperative obstipation. Nurse has to be familiar with non pharmacological approaches and guidelines for prevention and treating obstipation. Simple and not expensive methods as mobility promotion, convenient nourishment, hydration, abdominal massage, appropriate body position during defecation, biofeedback method, ensuring privacy and demolishing taboos regarding defecation, have long term effect and can provide patients with better quality of life. Nursing, however, requires additional research in direction of finding new proves for non pharmacological obstipation management. It is of great importance to implement existing methods in clinical practice and aditionally strengthen interdisciplinary cooperation.
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