The Effect of Cold Vapor on Dyspnea, Thirst, Nausea, and Physiological Parameters in the PACU After Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Surgery

Non-pharmacological methods, such as cold vapor application, hold significant potential in the management of complications encountered in the postoperative period. Despite this potential, to the best of our knowledge, no published study examining the effect of cold vapor on dyspnea, thirst, and physiological parameters has been found in the literature. This study is a randomized controlled experimental study. The study will be conducted with at least 66 patients in total, including 33 in the intervention group and 33 in the control group. Data collection consists of three stages: T0, T1, and T2. In these stages, the baseline (T0) assessment of both groups will be performed using the Questionnaire Form, Modified Borg Scale (MBS), Perioperative Thirst Discomfort Scale (PTDS), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and Physiological Parameter Follow-up Form (PPFF). Following this assessment, the patients' condition will be re-evaluated at the 15th minute (T1) and 30th minute (T2) using the MBS, PTDS, NRS, and PPFF. In the intervention group, immediately after the baseline (T0) assessment, cold steam application will be administered to patients for 15 minutes using a Hikoneb 906 S/LCD ultrasonic hospital-type nebulizer device, in addition to routine care and treatment procedures. Patients in the control group will not be subjected to any additional intervention. It is predicted that cold vapor inhalation will reduce the severity of dyspnea, thirst, and nausea after laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery as a result of the study. Additionally, it is expected to bring basic vital parameter values such as systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate (pulse/min), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2, %), and respiratory rate (/min) closer to the normal physiological range. This study is significant as it demonstrates the value of cold vapor as a practice that strengthens and supports individualized nursing care in the early postoperative period.

Inclusion criteria

• Volunteering to participate in the study
• Being aged 18 years or older
• Being able to speak and understand Turkish
• Having cognitive, affective, and communicative competence
• Having intact visual and auditory functions
• Having undergone elective laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery under general anesthesia
• Having an ASA score of I or II
• Having a total Modified Aldrete Score of ≥9 and a consciousness score of 2 (fully awake) in the postoperative period
• Not having developed vomiting prior to the intervention
• Having a body temperature within the normal physiological range (36-37.5 °C)

Exclusion criteria

• Having cold vapor application planned by physician order in the PACU prior to the study
• Having signs and symptoms of upper or lower airway obstruction
• Developing agitation and having communication insufficiency
• Having an allergy to cold vapor application
• Having a diagnosis of obstructive pulmonary disease (e.g., COPD, asthma) or heart failure
• Having a known history of any neurological or psychiatric disease
• Having a postoperative nasogastric catheter inserted
• Having received preoperative diagnoses associated with nausea, vomiting, or dyspnea