Use of mentholated popsicles in the management of postoperative thirst in patients undergoing mastectomy: a randomized clinical trial.
Thirst; Postoperative Care; Clinical Trial; Menthol; Nursing Care
In order to improve the thirst problem, the technique of providing a small volume of cold liquid in the oral cavity is used to lubricate the mucosa. Therefore, interventions such as mint or iced popsicles, menthol chewing gum, moist gauze with cold saline solution, cold water for gargle and frozen gauze with saline solution are the main methods used to stimulate thirst quenching in patients during the preceding period the surgery. This study aims to evaluate the effects of using mentholated popsicles to relieve postoperative thirst in patients undergoing mastectomy in an oncology hospital. This is a randomized, controlled and single-blind clinical trial, with a quantitative approach that will comply with the standards recommended by the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT, 2010). This study will be registered on the virtual platform of the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC). The present study will be developed in the surgical ward of the Hospital Doutor Luiz Antônio (HLA) of the Liga Norte Riograndense Against Cancer (LNRCC), located in the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte (RN). The population will be composed of female patients, undergoing elective surgery of partial or total quadrantectomy who are in the immediate postoperative period. The sample will be probabilistic, simple random, with patients who attend elective surgery for partial or total mastectomy. The study will consist of two groups: a control (GC) and an experimental (EG). The CG will consist of patients who will receive popsicles without the addition of the minty substrate and the EG will consist of patients who will receive the popsicle with the addition of the 0.05% mint substrate. The instrument for data collection is subdivided into three parts: 1) Patient identification, clinical and sociodemographic data; 2) Data regarding the surgical procedure and anesthetic process; 3) Data regarding thirst intensity through the Numerical Scale (EN) and thirst discomfort through the Perioperative Thirst Discomfort Scale (EDESP). The collected data will be stored and processed in a computerized database using Microsoft Office Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20.0. This research will follow all the ethical requirements of research with human beings and will be appreciated by the Research Ethics Committee.