Impact of narrative therapy and standard ostomy care on postoperative recovery and complications in permanent colostomy

BACKGROUND Permanent colostomy poses substantial physical and psychological challenges that impede postoperative recovery.AIM To evaluate whether adding narrative therapy (NT) to standard ostomy care (SOC) improves postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing permanent colostomy.METHODS This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent elective permanent colostomy from June 2022 to June 2025.Patients were divided into an NT combined with SOC (NTSOC) group and an SOC group on the basis of receipt of postoperative NT.Outcomes assessed included gastrointestinal recovery, early mobilization, hospital stay, self-care ability at 3 months, stoma complications within 3 months, psychosocial adaptation at 3 months, and stigma perception immediately postoperatively and at 3 months. RESULTSThe baseline information of each group was comparable.The NTSOC group showed a significant speedier recovery of digestive system function (first oral rehydration: 48.24 hours vs 56.43 hours, P < 0.001) and earlier resumption of normal activities (3.31 days vs 3.75 days).Shorter length of hospital stay was significantly longer than that of the control group in comparison: NTSCO vs SOC (11.46 days vs 12.37 days, P = 0.016).By 3 months, the NTSOC group exhibited lower persisting concern than the SOC group (12.27 vs 13.75, P = 0.002).A significant difference was found in terms of accepting life (11.59vs 10.36, P = 0.002); more optimistic attitude (17.44 vs 16.02, P = 0.001); and reduction in the stigmatized perception of social isolation, internalized shame, and perceived social exclusion.However, economic insecurity did not vary significantly (P = 0.091).4 / 28 CONCLUSION NTSOC is associated with accelerated recovery, fewer complications, enhanced self-care, better psychosocial adaptation, and reduced stigma in patients undergoing permanent colostomy.