The Effect of Breathing and Coughing Exercises and Oxygen Therapy on Shoulder Pain and Analgesic Consumption After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract

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. A randomized controlled intervention study. 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, 2liters per minute O2 treatment was applied to group 2 during the first hour after surgery, while the control group did not recieve the interventions. 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. Breathing and coughing exercises and oxygen therapy after laparoscopic cholecystectomy reduced shoulder pain and the amount of analgesic consumption.