Abdominal Ice Application After Cesarean Section

Effect of Intermittent Abdominal Ice Application on Postoperative Pain and Opioid Consumption After Elective Cesarean Section: A Randomized Controlled Study

Cesarean section is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures worldwide, and effective postoperative pain control is important for maternal recovery and patient comfort. This randomized controlled study evaluated whether intermittent abdominal ice application after elective cesarean section could reduce postoperative pain and opioid consumption. Eighty patients undergoing cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia were randomly assigned to receive either intermittent abdominal ice application in addition to standard multimodal analgesia or standard postoperative care alone. Postoperative pain scores, opioid consumption, patient satisfaction, and postoperative recovery outcomes were evaluated during the first 24 postoperative hours.

This prospective randomized controlled study was conducted to evaluate the effects of intermittent abdominal ice application on postoperative pain and opioid consumption after elective cesarean section. Eighty patients undergoing elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either an ice application group or a control group. Patients in the intervention group received intermittent abdominal ice application over the surgical incision area for 20-minute sessions every 2 hours during the first postoperative 12 hours in addition to standard multimodal analgesia. The control group received standard postoperative multimodal analgesia alone.

Postoperative pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at predefined postoperative time points during the first 24 hours. Secondary outcomes included tramadol consumption, morphine consumption, patient satisfaction, first analgesic request time, total postoperative pain burden assessed using area under the curve (AUC) analysis, and responder analysis. The study was approved by the local ethics committee, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants before enrollment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women aged 18-45 years American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-II Singleton term pregnancy Elective cesarean section performed under spinal anesthesia Ability to understand and use the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) Written informed consent obtained before participation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Emergency cesarean section Chronic pain disorders or chronic opioid use Allergy or contraindication to study medications Infection or skin lesion at the ice application site Psychiatric or neurological disorders affecting pain assessment Conversion to general anesthesia Refusal to participate in the study