The Value of Bowel Sounds in Evaluating Postoperative Intestinal Function Recovery in Colorectal Cancer Patients

Inclusion criteria

• Aged 18-80 years.
• Histopathologically confirmed colorectal adenocarcinoma according to the WHO 2022 classification.
• No restriction on prior neoadjuvant or other antitumor therapies, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.
• Able to understand the study requirements and voluntarily provide written informed consent (patient and/or legally authorized representative).
• Able to communicate effectively with the investigators and willing to comply with all study procedures, including postoperative management and follow-up.

Exclusion criteria

• Significant organ dysfunction indicating inability to tolerate surgery or an unacceptably high perioperative risk, including:
• Severe cardiac dysfunction (NYHA Class III or IV).
• Severe hepatic dysfunction (MELD score \>12).
• Severe renal dysfunction (eGFR \<30 mL/min/1.73 m² \[CKD stage 4-5\] or end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis).
• Severe pulmonary dysfunction (resting PaO₂ \<60 mmHg on room air or respiratory failure requiring long-term oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation).
• Participation in another clinical study within 4 weeks before enrollment or concurrent participation in another interventional clinical study.
• Emergency surgery required because of intestinal obstruction, perforation, or other acute abdominal conditions.
• Severe psychiatric disorders that would interfere with compliance with perioperative management or follow-up.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
• Any other clinical or laboratory abnormality that, in the opinion of the investigator, would make the participant unsuitable for the study.