The effectiveness of individualized thirst management in patients with postoperative thirst for gastric cancer

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of individualized thirst management in patients after gastric cancer surgery.

A quasi-experimental study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in China. Between April and June 2024, 36 postoperative gastric cancer patients experiencing thirst were enrolled as the control group and received conventional care. From July to September 2024, 37 patients were recruited as the experimental group and received a tailored thirst management program. Thirst intensity was assessed via a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), while lip, tongue, and oral mucosa moisture levels were evaluated at multiple time points. Patient satisfaction with the nursing services was evaluated before discharge.

Baseline characteristics, including thirst scores and oral moisture levels, showed no significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). At 6 h post-intervention, both groups presented reduced thirst intensity and improved oral moisture, but the differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). However, from the first to the third postoperative day, the experimental group presented significantly lower thirst scores (P < 0.05) and higher lip, tongue, and oral mucosa moisture scores compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the experimental group reported significantly higher satisfaction with nursing care than the control group (P < 0.05).

Individualized thirst management is a safe and feasible intervention that effectively alleviates postoperative thirst, improves oral moisture levels, and enhances patient satisfaction in gastric cancer patients. These findings support the integration of personalized thirst management into standard postoperative care protocols.