Journal of Perianesthesia Nursing, cilt.39, sa.4, ss.540-546, 2024 (SCI-Expanded)
Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of breathing and coughing exercises and oxygen therapy on shoulder pain and analgesic consumption after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Design: A randomized controlled intervention study. Methods: The sample included 105 patients who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the general surgery clinic of a tertiary center. Breathing and coughing exercises were applied to groups 1 and 2 of the intervention group, from the fourth hour after surgery. In addition, 2 liters per minute O2 treatment was applied to group 2 during the first hour after surgery, while the control group did not recieve the interventions. Findings: After surgery, a statistically significant difference was found in favor of the intervention groups in pain levels at the 12th hour (P < .05). There was a negative and statistically significant difference between pain levels and SpO2 values in all groups (P < .05). Non-opioids were consumed in lower amounts in the intervention groups (P > .05), while opioids were consumed only in the control group. Conclusions: Breathing and coughing exercises and oxygen therapy after laparoscopic cholecystectomy reduced shoulder pain and the amount of analgesic consumption.