Cold Water Gargling After Major Abdominal Surgery

TC Erciyes University88 enrolled

Overview

This randomized controlled trial examined the effect of cold water gargling on postoperative oral dryness, thirst severity, and patient satisfaction in patients who underwent major abdominal surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (cold water gargling) or the control group (standard care). Thirst severity and oral dryness were assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS; 0-10) at postoperative 8, 12, and 24 hours. Perioperative thirst-related discomfort was evaluated using the Perioperative Thirst Discomfort Scale (PTDS; score range 0-12), and patient satisfaction was assessed using a VAS (0-10) at postoperative 24 hours. The study was conducted at Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine Gevher Nesibe Hospital, General Surgery Clinic. A total of 88 patients were enrolled (44 per group). The study aimed to provide evidence for a simple, low-cost nursing intervention to improve postoperative patient comfort.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Major Abdominal Surgeries

Interventions

Patients gargled with cold water at postoperative 8, 12, and 24 hours. Each gargling session involved approximately 10 mL of cold water (approximately 4°C) for 30 seconds. The procedure was performed under nurse supervision. Patients were instructed not to swallow the water and to spit it out after gargling. No oral fluid intake was permitted during the study period per standard postoperative protocol.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 18 years or older * Scheduled for elective major abdominal surgery * Able to communicate verbally * Willing to participate and provided written informed consent * No restriction on gargling (intact swallowing reflex) Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of oral mucositis, oral ulceration, or any oral pathology * History of dysphagia or swallowing difficulties * Presence of nausea or vomiting preventing gargling * Altered level of consciousness or inability to cooperate * Receiving intravenous fluid therapy that resolves thirst symptoms * Patients who required reoperation during the study period * Patients transferred to the intensive care unit postoperatively

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Thirst Severity

Assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS; 0=no thirst, 10=very severe thirst)

Time frame: Postoperative 8, 12, and 24 hours

Oral Dryness Severity

Assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS; 0=no oral dryness, 10=very severe oral dryness)

Time frame: Postoperative 8, 12, and 24 hours

Secondary Outcomes

Perioperative Thirst-Related Discomfort

Assessed using the Perioperative Thirst Discomfort Scale (PTDS; Turkish version). 6-item, 3-point Likert scale. Total score range 0-12; higher scores indicate greater discomfort.

Time frame: Postoperative 24 hours

Patient Satisfaction

Assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS; 0=not satisfied at all, 10=very satisfied)