Abstract: Objective: To explore the lived experience and needs of home rehabilitation among discharged patients after esophageal cancer surgery, so as to provide targeted services for them. Methods: Totally 13 discharged patients after esophageal cancer surgery were recuited by purposive sampling method and interviewed in Shanghai. Content analysis method was used to analyze the data and extract the themes. Results: Three themes were extracted: postoperative disease management, hypersensitivity emotions, and the advantages and disadvantages of social support. Conclusion: We should pay attention to the evaluation of patients' symptoms and psychological state, strengthening the professional support outside the hospital, training follow-up nurse specialists at the same time, providing standardized rehabilitation medical services, so as to improve the effect of surgical treatment and the quality of life among these patients.

Key words: esophageal cancer; postoperative; care needs; home care