title: Constipation prophylaxis in children undergoing orthopedic surgery: A quasi-experimental study.
abstract: This study evaluated the effectiveness of constipation prophylaxis administered with the support of an advanced practice nurse.
  
  
  
  A quasi-experimental study with a historical control group of 112 pediatric (age 1-18) orthopedic patients and an intervention group of 59 patients was conducted in a surgical ward in Switzerland.
  
  
  
  The implementation of a standardized constipation prophylaxis led to an absolute risk reduction (27%) of constipation. Fisher's exact test showed a significant difference in the prevalence of constipation in the two samples, p = .001.
  
  
  
  Constipation prophylaxis is a necessity in pediatric orthopedics.
authors.affiliation: APN in Continence Care, University Children's Hospital Zurich.
authors.forename: Laila Sara
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Mantegazzi
authors.affiliation: APN in Continence and Rehabilitation Care, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Seliner
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head of Research and Development, Institute of Nursing, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, and Institute of Nursing, School of Health Professions, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Lorenz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Imhof
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003248:Constipation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D054368:Laxatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013557:Switzerland
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D054368:Laxatives
keywords: Constipation; hospital; nursing; orthopedic; pediatric