Abstract
Background:
Bariatric surgery involves intraoperative drain placement and postoperative removal, often causing discomfort. This study aims to identify effective methods to alleviate discomfort resulting from drain removal, enhancing recovery for bariatric patients.
Methods:
The study involved 135 volunteer patients who had undergone a sleeve gastrectomy and had to be monitored during the process of drain removal. The patients were randomly divided into three different groups according to intervention, namely group A (cold gel packs), B (deep breathing exercises), and C (control). The pain levels were measured using the Visual Analogue Scale during three different phases of the removal procedure (T1: before, T2: immediately after the removal, T3: 15 min post removal).
Results:
The results of the data analysis indicate that there was no significant difference in the perceived pain level between the groups at T1 (p = 0.107). Interestingly, the control group reported significantly higher pain levels at T2 compared to the intervention groups (group A and group B) (p < 0.001). Finally, the control group reported significantly higher pain levels at T3 compared with the intervention groups (p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
By utilizing effective management techniques, such as cold therapy and deep breathing exercises, patients can minimize their discomfort and anxiety, leading to a more seamless recovery process.
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