Effects of Lavender Aromatherapy and Cold Application on Pain During Drain Removal

This study evaluates the effect of lavender aromatherapy and cold application on pain during drain removal. The investigators hypothesize that there is no difference in pain prevention between lavender oil inhalation and local cold application.

It is common practice to place a drainage tube in the peritoneal cavity after abdominal surgery. Although drain application is an important initiative, the severe pain caused during the removal process should also be controlled . Pain and discomfort continue to be a problem during the removal of surgical silicone drains. In the literature, patients describe silicone drain removal as a very painful procedure. Analgesics applied during drain removal are among the commonly used methods in the treatment of acute pain . However, the fact that the response of the patient to pharmacological treatment is variable and the pain cannot be completely controlled with these agents necessitates the use of non-pharmacological methods in addition to pharmacological agents in the control of severe pain.

One of the non-pharmacological methods used in pain control is cold application. Cold application reduces the oxygen and nutrient requirement of tissues by slowing down metabolism, and eliminates pressure and tension on nerve endings by limiting inflammation, spasm and edema; It creates an analgesic effect by slowing or blocking the conduction velocity of peripheral nerves. In addition, it increases the release of endogenous opioids by stimulating the touch receptors with the gate-control mechanism, thereby reducing pain.

Aromatherapy using essential oils is now used by many healthcare professionals in the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Germany and Switzerland as a part of patient care to reduce pain and stress. When the effects of essential oils used for this purpose are examined; It is seen that it accelerates blood and lymph circulation, relieves muscle spasm and has calming effects. It is reported that these effects of essential oils are both absorbed from the skin and stimulated the sense of smell. In the literature, it is emphasized that some known or unknown analgesic components in oils affect the release of substances such as dopamine, endorphin, noradrenaline and serotonin in the brain stem, and that they have analgesic properties that are said to be formed as a result.

The physiological and psychological effects of aromatherapy have long been known in complementary medicine. Lavender oil has been associated with its mood enhancing and analgesic properties in healthy subjects and experimental nociception. This therapy has been successfully used in clinical settings to alleviate a wide variety of pain, such as dressing change in the intensive care unit, palliative care, for the control of labor pain, and chronic pain. There are numerous studies describing the use of this therapy to relieve anxiety and improve mood. Limited studies have shown that aromatherapy is beneficial for women who give birth and reduces the need for pain medication.

Considering the potential positive effect of lavender oil on the physiological and psychological state of the patient and the positive effect of cold application on the pain mechanism, our study was planned to determine the effectiveness of lavender aromatherapy and cold application in controlling the pain that occurs during the drain removal process.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Between the ages of 18-80,
* Being conscious, oriented and cooperative,
* Can speak and understand Turkish,
* After the surgery with silicone drains
* General condition stable,
* Patients who received written and verbal consent to participate in the study will be included.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
* Patients with contact dermatitis against cosmetic fragrances
* Patients who are pregnant
* Patients with poor general condition
* Oriented, non-cooperative patients
* Patients whose consent is not taken will be excluded