Does Cold Vapor Prevent Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of cold vapor on nausea and vomiting in the early postoperative period after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Design: Randomized controlled study.

Methods: This study was carried out with 44 intervention and 44 control group patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy between May 2022 and December 2022. Cold vapor was applied to the experimental group for 15 minutes in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). The patients were evaluated in terms of nausea and vomiting at the 0th minute and 30th minute in the PACU, and at the 2nd, 6th, 12th, and 24th hours in service after surgery.

Findings: There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of nausea at the postoperative 30th minute, 2nd hour, and 6th hour. The postoperative nausea incidence and scores in the experimental group were significantly lower. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of vomiting at all times after surgery.

Conclusions: Postoperative cold vapor helps to reduce the severity of nausea but does not affect vomiting. Thus, it can be used in the control of nausea after cholecystectomy.