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The effect of oral cold water spray application on thirst intensity in patients undergoing spinal surgery: a

Emine Koç¹, Zeynep Kızılcık Özkan²

¹Nurse, Department of Neurosurgery Units, Trakya University Hospital, Edirne, Turkey.

Journal of Research in Nursing : JRN

|March 30, 2026

Abstract

Background:

The impact of postoperative interventions on reducing thirst in patients undergoing spinal surgery is not well understood. The long duration of the surgery, the amount of intraoperative blood loss, and the need for general anaesthesia in patients undergoing spinal surgery can make them more sensitive to "perioperative thirst".

Objective:

The study aimed to examine the effects of oral cold water spray application on thirst intensity after spinal surgery.

Methods:

This randomised controlled study was conducted on 62 patients who underwent spinal surgery. Patients in the experimental group received oral cold water spray application repeatedly after surgery. Patients in the control group received standard care.

Results:

The mean thirst intensity of the experimental group patients was statistically significantly lower than that of the control group at the third postoperative hour. At second-fifth postoperative hours, the mean severity of postoperative discomfort due to thirst in the experimental and control groups was similar. It was determined that the salivary pH levels of the patients in the experimental and control groups after oral cold water spray application were statistically significantly higher in favour of the experimental group.

Conclusions:

Oral cold water spray applications can reduce the severity of patients' postoperative thirst and improve patient satisfaction. It is recommended that surgical nurses should use oral cold water spray application as an effective and safe nursing intervention in the management of thirst.

Keywords:

nursing oral sprays spinal disease surgery symptom management thirst

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