Cesarean Section, Postoperative Pain, Postoperative Pain After Cesarean Section
Conditions
Keywords
Cesarean Section, Postoperative Pain, Cryotherapy, Abdominal Ice Application, Multimodal Analgesia, Opioid-Sparing Analgesia, Spinal Anesthesia, Randomized Controlled Trial
Brief summary
Cesarean section is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures worldwide, and effective postoperative pain control is important for maternal recovery and patient comfort. This randomized controlled study evaluated whether intermittent abdominal ice application after elective cesarean section could reduce postoperative pain and opioid consumption. Eighty patients undergoing cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia were randomly assigned to receive either intermittent abdominal ice application in addition to standard multimodal analgesia or standard postoperative care alone. Postoperative pain scores, opioid consumption, patient satisfaction, and postoperative recovery outcomes were evaluated during the first 24 postoperative hours.
Detailed description
This prospective randomized controlled study was conducted to evaluate the effects of intermittent abdominal ice application on postoperative pain and opioid consumption after elective cesarean section. Eighty patients undergoing elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either an ice application group or a control group. Patients in the intervention group received intermittent abdominal ice application over the surgical incision area for 20-minute sessions every 2 hours during the first postoperative 12 hours in addition to standard multimodal analgesia. The control group received standard postoperative multimodal analgesia alone. Postoperative pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at predefined postoperative time points during the first 24 hours. Secondary outcomes included tramadol consumption, morphine consumption, patient satisfaction, first analgesic request time, total postoperative pain burden assessed using area under the curve (AUC) analysis, and responder analysis. The study was approved by the local ethics committee, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants before enrollment.
Interventions
PROCEDUREAbdominal Ice Application
Intermittent abdominal ice application over the surgical incision area for 20-minute sessions every 2 hours during the first postoperative 12 hours.
Standard postoperative multimodal analgesia without abdominal ice application.
Sponsors
Nigde Omer Halisdemir University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Postoperative pain assessments were performed by an investigator blinded to group allocation. Participants and care providers were not blinded because of the nature of
Intervention model description
Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the ice application group or the control group.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Women aged 18-45 years American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-II Singleton term pregnancy Elective cesarean section performed under spinal anesthesia Ability to understand and use the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) Written informed consent obtained before participation
Exclusion criteria
* Emergency cesarean section Chronic pain disorders or chronic opioid use Allergy or contraindication to study medications Infection or skin lesion at the ice application site Psychiatric or neurological disorders affecting pain assessment Conversion to general anesthesia Refusal to participate in the study
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Postoperative Pain Intensity Assessed Using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) | During the first 24 postoperative hours | Postoperative pain intensity was evaluated using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS; 0-10) at predefined postoperative time points during the first 24 postoperative hours. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Postoperative Tramadol Consumption | 24 postoperative hours | Total postoperative tramadol consumption during the first 24 postoperative hours. |
| Postoperative Morphine Consumption | 24 postoperative hours | Total postoperative morphine consumption during the first 24 postoperative hours. |
| Patient Satisfaction Scores | 24 postoperative hours | Patient satisfaction with postoperative pain management assessed during the postoperative period. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed