Abstract: Objective: To construct a self-management program for patients with rectal cancer after sphincter-preserving surgery based on the individual and family self-magement theory and evaluate its application effects, so as to provide reference for improving patients' symptoms. Methods: Using literature review, group discussion, semi-structured interviews and expert correspondence, a self-management program for patients with rectal cancer after sphincter-preserving surgery was constructed. Patients with rectal cancer after sphincter-preserving surgery in a tertiary hospital in Tianjin from January 2021 to August 2023 were selected by convenience sampling, and the patients were divided into a control group (48 cases) and an intervention group (48 cases) according to the order of admission. Those in the control group received routine nursing care, while those in the intervention group were with self-management program for 3 months. The incidence of symptoms of Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS), self-management ability and quality of life were compared between the two groups before and after intervention. Results: The incidence of LARS in the intervention group was lower than those in the control group (P<0.05), the scores of self-management was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05), and the score of quality of life was lower that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The self-management program for patients with rectal cancer after sphincter-preserving surgery can alleviate the symptoms of LARS, improve the self-management ability and quality of life of patients.

Key words: sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer; indiviclual and family self-magement theory; Low Anterior Resection Syndrome; self-management; quality of life