Zhang FR, et al. - The feasibility of cryotherapy to relieve pain and scrotal edema following hernioplasty surgery was determined. Cryotherapy demonstrated a favorable cost, was convenient and had a low frequency of adverse effects, suggesting its utility for end-stage renal disease populations following hernioplasty to relieve pain and scrotal edema.

Methods

• In a large integrated health care facility in South China, researchers performed this prospective, randomized, controlled trial.
• Between March 2013 and February 2017, 169 male patients on hemodialysis and scheduled for hernioplasty were enrolled.
• An intervention group and a control group were formed of the participants.
• Ice packs were applied following surgery in the intervention group.
• The groups were compared regarding demographic information, vital signs, pain score, opioid consumption, wound inflammation, scrotal edema, and patient satisfaction.
• Pain score was assessed as the primary outcome.

Results

• Throughout the monitoring period, patients treated with cryotherapy required less opioid consumption (5.95 vs. 15.29mg, P<0.05), reported lower pain scores from 30 min to 48 h post operation (P<0.05), less wound inflammation (11.90 vs. 32.94%, P<0.05), lower incidence of scrotal edema in the first and second day (P<0.05), and higher patient satisfaction (8.95 vs. 6.50cm, P<0.05), with stable vital signs (P>0.05).