The "cough trick" can reduce pain during Kirschner wire extraction from the hand

This study examines the effect of the forced coughing method ("cough trick") on pain during Kirschner wire extraction, in the clinic setting following hand fixation procedures.

Participants were recruited and randomized to a trial group or a control group. The trial group was asked to cough forcibly during wires extraction. The participants completed disability and quality of life questionnaires (QuickDASH, SF12) for reference and a visual analog scale (VAS) to indicate the level of pain.

Sixty-eight participants including 53 males and 15 females, aged 19-85 (median 51), were recruited and analyzed from 2019 to 2021. The demographic characteristics, QuickDASH mean score, SF12 questionnaire mean score and mean VAS score, were not significantly different between the groups. In the trial group, fewer participants experienced higher levels of pain (VAS score > 7) (p = 0.0149).

We found that the "cough trick" method was effective in reducing high-grade pain. The "cough trick" method is cost-effective, does not require special equipment and is easy to perform in the outpatient clinic.