The Effect of Ginger and Mint on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Patients Undergoing Total Thyroidectomy

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a group of symptoms that develop in patients within 24 hours after surgical intervention and are undesirable outcomes complicating patients' postoperative recovery. The purpose of this study was to establish the impact of ginger and peppermint essential oil inhalation for PONV in patients who underwent total thyroidectomy.

Our study was designed as a randomized controlled experimental study.

Participants consisted of patients who underwent thyroidectomy surgery at Bezmialem Vakif University General Surgery Clinic between February 2021 and August 2022. The subjects were first divided randomly into three groups: a ginger group, a peppermint group, and a routine care group. Patients' pain, nausea, and vomiting severity were measured at 2, 6, and 24 hours. Patients' outcome was assessed using the visual analog scale and the Rhodes Nausea and Vomiting Index.

Significantly lower pain and nausea severity was found in the ginger group compared with the control group. Similarly, the peppermint group also showed significantly lower pain and nausea severity compared with the control group. Rhodes 1 item score was 0.48 ± 0.51 in the ginger group, 1.11 ± 0.64 in the peppermint group, and 1.37 ± 0.49 in the control group (P < .001). These findings suggest that both ginger and peppermint essential oils are effective in alleviating PONV symptoms, with each group showing significant improvement compared with the control group.

Results support that ginger and mint might have a positive effect if used to improve postoperative recovery quality. This nursing intervention is recommended to prevent and minimize the PONV occurrence and is made of ginger and mint.