The Effects of Menthol and Cold Spray Applications on Thirst and Comfort in Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is a widely used surgical treatment method in obesity management that improves quality of life and provides long-term weight loss. Patients often experience thirst in the early postoperative period. Factors that increase thirst include cessation of oral intake, room temperature, intubation, dehydration, hypovolemia, and oxygen therapy in the preoperative period. Furthermore, failure to initiate oral intake early in the postoperative period increases thirst and negatively impacts patient comfort. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of menthol spray and cold spray applications on the thirst and comfort levels of patients in the postoperative period. The study aims to contribute to the improvement of nursing practices related to postoperative thirst and comfort management with the findings obtained from this study. This randomized controlled clinical trial is planned to be conducted with patients undergoing bariatric surgery at the General Surgery Clinic of Istanbul Atlas University Hospital. The study population will consist of patients hospitalized in the General Surgery Department of Atlas University Hospital who have undergone bariatric surgery. The sample was determined as 159 patients meeting the inclusion criteria in three groups, calculated using the GPower 3.1.9.7 program with an effect size of f=0.25, a significance level of α=0.05, and a test power of (1-β)=0.80. Considering data loss, the study is planned to be conducted with 180 patients. The "Patient Information Form," "Visual Analog Scale-Comfort (VAS-A)," "Dehydration Visual Analog Scale (VAS)," and "Surgical Dehydration Discomfort Scale (CDSBRÖ)" will be used to collect research data.

Inclusion Criteria: * • Patients who are 18 years of age or older, * who undergo bariatric surgery under general anesthesia, * who do not have oral or nasal diseases, or vision, hearing, speech, or comprehension problems, * who are classified as grade I or II according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Classification System, * who are not allergic to menthol, * who do not have severe vomiting, and • whose preoperative fasting and thirst period is 8 hours. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with impaired oral and tongue mucosal integrity prior to surgery, Patients with any neurological, kidney, heart or lung disease with cognitive impairment and those using psychoactive drugs will be excluded.