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Published on: October 20, 2012
The impact of warming on pain and wound healing after hernia surgery: a preliminary study
1Emeritus Professor of Surgery, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. andymelling@btinternet.com
Objective:
To determine whether the application of warmth after hernia surgery reduces pain and aids wound healing.
Method:
Forty-five patients were recruited and randomised to receive either no warming;two hours of warming immediately after surgery; or seven days of warming.
Results:
Postoperative pain scores were significantly lower after two hours of warming immediately after surgery compared with the non-warmed patients (p<0.05). Pain scores were lower on each of the first seven postoperative days in the warmed groups compared with the non-warmed subjects. Patients in the warmed groups also had lower ASEPSIS wound scores.
Conclusion:
Warming may allow wounds to heal with fewer complications. In addition, warming for only two hours immediately after surgery may provide similar benefits to seven days of warming.