Combined Acupressure Effects on Post-Thoracotomy Pain and Lung Volume
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
Pain is a subjective, sensory and emotionally unpleasant experience resulting from real or hidden injuries in tissues. The pain experience is a subjective and unique experience in physiological and psychological terms and is the first negative sensory experience of the patient after the surgical procedure. Thoracotomy is an invasive surgical incision that causes severe postoperative pain due to the negative effect on the ribs, muscles and peripheral nerves. During thoracic surgery, anatomical lung resection is performed through posterolateral thoracotomy. Surgical incision during thoracotomy surgery is the most severe cause of postoperative pain. Epidural analgesia, peripheral nerve block and systematic treatment methods are used in post-thoracotomy pain management. Opioid use is frequently preferred in post-thoracotomy pain management. Although thoracotomy pain can mostly be controlled with opioid analgesics, excessive use of opioids may lead to respiratory suppression, constipation, suppression of cough, nausea, vomiting and many other possible side effects. Ineffective postoperative pain management may lead to postoperative complications such as increased cardiac workload, prolonged pulmonary rehabilitation and delayed wound healing. The use of holistic non-drug pain relief methods is vital in reducing the need for opioid analgesics and the risk of possible side effects in early postoperative pain management.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Underwent thoracotomy * Undergoing thoracic surgery for the first time * Classified as ASA (American Society of Anesthesiology) physical status I, II and III * Presence of a drain upon admission to the intensive care unit * Conscious, oriented, and cooperative * Provided verbal and written informed consent after receiving information about the study Exclusion Criteria: * Intubated * Persistent anxiety before the surgery * Diagnosed with panic disorder * Chemotherapy within the last 6 months * Diagnosed psychiatric illness or mental health problems * Presence of edema * Intraoperative or postoperative complications * Non-Turkish speaking, or presence of hearing or visual impairment * Body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 * Participation in another clinical trial during the study period