Effect of Postoperative Trendelenburg Positioning in Reducing Shoulder Pain after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Abstract

Background and Objective: Shoulder pain is one of the most common complaints of patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which seems to be closely related to the residual volume of carbon dioxide gas used during surgery. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of Trendelenburg positioning after surgery in reducing shoulder pain in patients. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a randomized clinical trial in 58 patients who were eligible for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients were enrolled in the study by simple random sampling and randomly assigned to supine (control) and Trendelenburg (intervention) positions. After complete awakening in the recovery room, the patients in the intervention group were placed in the Trendelenburg position (30 degrees), while the patients in the control group were placed in the supine position for 30 minutes. The level of pain was measured 6, 12, 24and 48 hours after completion of the procedure using the NRS scale. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 24 software. Results: The results of this study show that there is a significant difference between the pain intensity 6, 12, 24and 48 hours after the end of the intervention between the two intervention and control groups (P >0.05). The pain in the intervention group is therefore lower than in the control group. Conclusion: As a simpleeffective, and inexpensive technique, the Trendelenburg position can reduce shoulder pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Keywords

• cholecystectomy
• head-down tilt
• laparoscopy
• shoulder pain
• supine position