Palliative care for surgical patients

The UK National Institute for Clinical Excellence recognizes the need for palliative care for all patients with malignant disease. Patients can receive palliative care for symptom control, psychological, spiritual or social support while continuing to require surgical management. Key symptoms which are commonly encountered in surgical patients include pain control issues, bowel obstruction, constipation, diarrhoea, vomiting. The importance of communication is identified; recognition and management of the dying patient is considered.