Abstract: Objective: To gain an understanding of the facilitators and barriers in implementing early mobilization in patients after Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), so as to provide the reference for promoting the implementation of early mobilization. Methods: This study was a qualitative study. From February to April 2023, 14 patients who had undergone PD in the Pancreas Center of a tertiary grade A hospital in Nanjing were recruited as interview participants. Purposive sampling was employed. Data were collected through semi-structured, face-to-face interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Three themes and 4 subthemes were extracted in regard to the facilitators. Four themes and 9 subthemes were extracted in regard to the barriers. The 3 themes of facilitators were correct cognition about early mobilization, trust in medical staff and good social support. The 4 themes of barriers were symptom distress after surgery, the influence of negative emotion, lack of a specific early mobilization plan and the limitations from clinical context. Conclusion: There are some facilitators and also some barriers regarding early mobilization after PD. Medical staff should strengthen the facilitators and weaken the barriers by taking a series of actions in order to promote the patients' compliance with early mobilization after PD.

Key words: Pancreaticoduodenectomy; post-operation; early mobilization; rehabilitation nursing; facilitators; barriers; qualitative study