Perioperative Care in Breast-Conserving Surgery Patients: An Evidence-Based Perioperative Care Protocol

Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) is a commonly used treatment method for early-stage breast cancer that offers cosmetic benefits while ensuring oncological safety. However, postoperative complications and the current trend toward shorter hospital stays necessitate the systematic and standardized planning of perioperative care. The aim of this review is to comprehensively address the perioperative care process in patients undergoing BCS based on the literature and to present an evidence-based care protocol that can be used in clinical practice. In this context, a structured care protocol was developed by reviewing the current literature, national and international guidelines, and evidence-based nursing practices. The developed protocol consists of four main phases: pre-admission to the clinic, the day of surgery, the first postoperative day, and the 7th, 15th, and 30th postoperative days. Each phase includes key care components such as education and counseling, patient optimization, prevention of complications, and pain management and assessment. Additional components include ensuring adequate sleep and rest, managing nutrition and fluid intake, maintaining normothermia, supporting arm and shoulder movements, promoting activities of daily living and self-care, and monitoring wounds and complications. The protocol also focuses on promoting effective coping and a positive body image, as well as supporting adherence to treatment. Wound and complication monitoring, promotion of effective coping and a positive body image, and support for adherence to treatment are also incorporated into the protocol. Consequently, it is believed that this evidence-based perioperative care protocol, by increasing standardization in nursing care, can reduce complication rates, accelerate the recovery process, and improve patient outcomes.