Objective To systematically evaluate and synthesize the experience and coping process of bowel symptoms in patients after sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer,and to provide the evidence for the subsequent development of bowel symptom management strategies.Methods A comprehensive search was conducted across the Pubmed,Cochrane Library,CINAHL,Embase,Web of Science,CNKI,Wanfang Database,VIP Database and CBM Database for qualitative studies on the experience of bowel symptoms in post-sphincter-preserving surgery patients with rectal cancer.The search period was from database inception to October 2024.The quality of the included literature was assessed according to the Australian Joanna Briggs Institute Center for Evidence-Based Health Care Quality Assessment Criteria for Qualitative Research,and the results were synthesized through the aggregative integration method.Results 14 studies were included,yielding 52 research findings,which were grouped into 10 subcategories and further synthesized into 4 results:the physical and psychological experiences of patients with bowel symptoms;the impact of bowel symptoms on patients'daily lives;coping styles for bowel symptoms in patients;facilitators of patients bowel symptom coping.Conclusion Bowel symptoms have significant negative impacts on the lives of patients following sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer,and healthcare professionals should address these patients'needs by developing effective symptom management strategies and supporting patients in enhancing self-management abilities to improve quality of life.

Objective To systematically evaluate and synthesize the experience and coping process of bowel symptoms in patients after sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer,and to provide the evidence for the subsequent development of bowel symptom management strategies.Methods A comprehensive search was conducted across the Pubmed,Cochrane Library,CINAHL,Embase,Web of Science,CNKI,Wanfang Database,VIP Database and CBM Database for qualitative studies on the experience of bowel symptoms in post-sphincter-preserving surgery patients with rectal cancer.The search period was from database inception to October 2024.The quality of the included literature was assessed according to the Australian Joanna Briggs Institute Center for Evidence-Based Health Care Quality Assessment Criteria for Qualitative Research,and the results were synthesized through the aggregative integration method.Results 14 studies were included,yielding 52 research findings,which were grouped into 10 subcategories and further synthesized into 4 results:the physical and psychological experiences of patients with bowel symptoms;the impact of bowel symptoms on patients'daily lives;coping styles for bowel symptoms in patients;facilitators of patients bowel symptom coping.Conclusion Bowel symptoms have significant negative impacts on the lives of patients following sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer,and healthcare professionals should address these patients'needs by developing effective symptom management strategies and supporting patients in enhancing self-management abilities to improve quality of life.