Laparoscopic Hysterectomy Pain

A study in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology examined the efficacy of using an ice pack post laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign conditions. 51 women were in either the control or intervention group. The intervention: postsurgery ice packs on the abdomen, in the operating room. Pain and opioid needs were assessed. Findings include:

• Between the groups
  • Pain management needs were not different
  • Visual analogue scale scores were not different
• 85% of women said their pain was controlled
• 87% reported that they would utilize ice again
• 82.6% would recommend ice

Coauthor of the study, Jessica K. Shields, DO, commented, “This study supports the safety of ice packs applied to the abdomen following surgery, despite lack of reduction in pain scores and pain medication usage. Although it does not decrease pain medication use, patients were satisfied with the addition of ice to their pain management regimen and would recommend it to others.” Dr. Shields is an assistant professor of OB/GYN at UT Southwestern, and Associate Director of the Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Fellowship Program.

 

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Other Categories:

• gynecology

• opioids

• pain management

• postsurgical pain management

• women's health