Aromatherapy Versus Gum Chewing on Preoperative Anxiety

Effect of Aromatherapy Versus Gum Chewing on Preoperative Anxiety in Females Undergoing Gynecological Laparoscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Investigators hypothesized that the use of blend aromatherapy and gum chewing before surgery would reduce preoperative anxiety as assessed by the Speilberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire and provide non pharmacological methods to decrease postoperative sore throat, postoperative nausea & vomiting and postoperative pain.

A written informed consent will be taken from the patients.patients will be assigned randomly to three groups (30 subjects each) either with preoperative aromatherapy (Group A) or gum chewing (Group G) or control group (Group C) to assess the preoperative anxiety and postoperative sore throat, nausea & vomiting and pain control between the three studied groups.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Educated adult females
• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-II
• Listed for elective gynecological laparoscopy surgery under general anesthesia and endotracheal tube (ETT)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Impaired pharyngeal or esophageal function
• Phenylketonuria (contraindication to the sweetener aspartame in chewing gum)
• A fall upper or lower denture (not feasible to chew gum)
• A history of preoperative sore throat, upper respiratory tract illness
• Using steroid or analgesia within the last 48 hour
• Chronic smokers
• Receiving warfarin, heparin, full dose 325 mg aspirin, or clopidogrel
• A history or diagnosis of bleeding diatheses
• Any known allergies to ginger or lavender
• Having head or neck surgery
• History of difficult intubation
• Pregnant women