Impact of Nutritional Support Under Comprehensive Nursing on Gastrointestinal Function in Patients With Gastroparesis Syndrome Following Radical Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of nutritional support intervention, implemented within the framework of comprehensive nursing, on gastrointestinal function and primary symptom indices in patients with gastroparesis syndrome following radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer. METHODS: Based on existing case records, the clinical data of 225 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy (distal gastrectomy + Billroth II anastomosis) for gastric cancer at our hospital between October 2022 and October 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. After propensity score matching (PSM) at a 1:1 ratio, 160 patients were included in the final analysis and among them, 80 cases in the observation group and 80 cases in the control group. The control group received conventional nursing care, while the observation group received nutritional support intervention within a comprehensive nursing model. Levels of gastrointestinal hormones, severity of gastroparesis symptoms, gastrointestinal function, and nursing satisfaction were compared between the two groups before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Two weeks post-intervention, the levels of motilin (MTL) and gastrin (GAS) in the observation group were significantly lower than in the control group, whereas the pepsinogen I (PG I) level was significantly higher (p < 0.05). Following two weeks of treatment, the observation group demonstrated significantly lower Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI) scores than the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the observation group had shorter gastric drainage duration, earlier first flatus, quicker resumption of normal eating, and faster symptom resolution compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Nursing satisfaction was significantly higher in the observation group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional support intervention delivered through comprehensive nursing for patients with gastroparesis syndrome after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer enhances gastric function, modulates gastrointestinal hormone levels, alleviates gastroparesis symptoms, and improves nursing satisfaction.