Effects of Menthol Gum Chewıng on Postoperatıve Nausea, Vomiting, and Length Of Hospital Stay in Children Undergoing Appendectomy: A Randomızed Controlled Trıal

Effects of Menthol Gum Chewıng on Postoperatıve Nausea, Vomiting, and Length Of Hospital Stay in Children Undergoing Appendectomy: A Randomızed Controlled Trıal

The study was conducted as an experimental study to determine the effect of menthol chewing gum application on postoperative nausea, vomiting and hospital stay in children with appendectomy. The population of the study consisted of children aged 7-18 who underwent appendectomy in Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital Pediatric Surgery clinic between April and June 2022. In the sample of the study, a total of 60 children (menthol gum group- intervention group=30, control=30) who had postoperative nausea-vomiting, accepted to participate in the study and met the sample selection criteria were included. Starting from the second hour after the child was brought to the clinic after appendectomy, the children in the chewing gum group with nausea and vomiting were chewed gum for an average of 15 minutes. The patients in the study group were not intervened except for routine nursing care. During the chewing gum (between 5-10. minutes), up to 30., 60. and 120. Minutes after the chewing gum.The patient was re-evaluated in terms of nausea with the BARF nausea scale. Episodes of vomiting were recorded in patients with vomiting. After the quantitative stages of the study were completed, the patient's level of relief was evaluated using a verbal descriptive scale. Nausea and vomiting were also evaluated before the patient was discharged.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Child and parent's willingness to participate in the research
• The child has no intellectual disability or perception problems.
• Patients who underwent general anesthesia
• Patients who do not develop postoperative complications
• Patients in the 7-18 age group
• Patients who can tolerate chewing gum in the postoperative period
• Patients who like to chew gum
• Patients with nausea and vomiting

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a diagnosis of diabetes
• Patients with teeth and jaw problems
• Patients with menthol allergy
• Patients with irritable bowel syndrome
• Patients with a history of reflux
• Patients whose cognitive level is not suitable
• Patients with a nasogastric tube