Use of a menthol popsicle in managing postoperative thirst in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy: A randomized clinical trial.

Background and aim: Thirst is a real bother that most patients feel in the immediate postoperative period when they still need to fast. Many approaches regarding symptomatic relief strategies have been described in the literature, but strategies with cold water and/or menthol are effective in quenching thirst, as they act on pre-absorptive mechanisms. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of using menthol popsicles in relieving postoperative thirst in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. Material and methods: This is a randomized controlled clinical trial with a quantitative approach. In all, 44 patients were evaluated in the immediate postoperative period of radical prostatectomy, with the intensity and discomfort of thirst being evaluated initially and subsequently. The study consisted of two groups: (1) the placebo group, popsicles without the addition of menthol substrates and (2) the experimental group, popsicles with the addition of 0.05% minty substrates. Results: The results demonstrate that the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were homogeneous at the α = 5% significance level, except the occupation variable. The test detected changes in the intensity and discomfort of thirst in relation to the pre- and post-intervention times for the primary outcome when the groups were analyzed separately and for the interaction of the group versus time, there was no statistical difference between the groups. Conclusion: It was possible to prove that both the menthol popsicle and the popsicle without the addition of menthol were effective in relieving postoperative thirst in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy, but there was no statistically significant difference when comparing the two groups. Trial registration: The Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR-8c3chr7).

Pain management in the postoperative period of amputation surgeries: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Pain in the postoperative period of amputation surgeries, when not managed correctly, can have consequences for the patient. PURPOSES AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to map the scientific evidence on pain management in patients in the postoperative period of amputation surgeries. DESIGN: Scoping review with elaboration based on the recommendations of the Joanna Briggs Institute, supported by The PAGER framework and guided by the PRISMA-ScR Checklist. METHODS: The survey was conducted in August 2022 in 10 data sources. The 3300 publications found were analysed by two independent reviewers, after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 16 studies were selected. RESULTS: Publications occurred between the years 1997 and 2022 and mainly dealt with the management of residual pain and phantom limb through pharmacological measures with pain assessment made by numerical scales. CONCLUSIONS: The literature pointed out strategic uses of analgesics and highlighted technologies for neurostimulation through catheters. The need for new studies with non-pharmacological measures and with designs that can prove their effectiveness is reinforced. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The knowledge of these strategies by health professionals allows adequate pain management and patient follow-up for a less traumatic recovery. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: To patient or public involvement in this scoping review.