To explore the effects of internet, telephone support and regular family follow-up on the recovery of gastrointestinal function after esophageal cancer surgery.

A total of 120 patients with esophageal cancer undergoing thoracoscopic radical resection in Beijing Daxing District People's Hospital from January 2019 to January 2022 were prospectively enrolled. Patients were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group, with 60 cases in each group. In the control group, routine follow-up was used after operation, and the principle of diet addition, food choice and outpatient follow-up time were informed by responsible doctors and nurses. On the basis of routine follow-up, the patients in the observation group were followed up by doctors and nurses after discharge. One-to-one telephone guidance on lifestyle and dietary matters needing attention was conducted regularly, and family follow-up was conducted once a month. In the wechat group, responsible doctors and nurses regularly educated patients on postoperative health knowledge of esophageal cancer, guided patients on recovery and diet matters needing attention, and answered patients' postoperative rehabilitation questions regularly. Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-rating depression scale (SDS) scores, serum prealbumin, transferrin, and albumin levels, Simplified dietary self-assessment tool score (SDSAT), quality of life questionnaire (EORCT QLQ-C30), cancer fatigue score (CFS), and satisfaction with care were evaluated at outpatient follow-up after 6 months in both groups.

Both groups completed the intervention and follow-up 6 months after surgery. The evaluation results after follow-up showed that the SDS and SAS scores of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.01). The SDSAT score of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). The levels of serum prealbumin, transferrin and albumin in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The EORCT QLQ-C30 score in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). CFS score in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). The satisfaction of nursing in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01).

Regular family follow-up based on telephone and internet can improve the dietary function and quality of life of patients with esophageal cancer after surgery, and reduce the level of anxiety and depression of patients.