Abstract: This article summarized the research progress of the dietary management of defecation dysfunction among patients with rectal cancer after the sphincter-saving surgery, including the mechanisms and nursing strategies of defecation dysfunction, the relationship of diet and defecation dysfunction and the requirements of controlling the defecation dysfunction by the dietary management. It was suggested to explore the dietary-related factors which contribute to defecation dysfunction, aiming at providing evidence for clinical nurses to adopt scientific dietary management strategies for the better control of the defecation dysfunction, thus, ultimately improve the quality of life of patients with rectal cancer after the sphincter-saving surgery.

Key words: rectal cancer; sphincter-saving surgery; defecation dysfunction; dietary management; review