Effectiveness of Aromatherapy for Relief of Pain, Nausea, and Vomiting after Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Postoperative pain, nausea, and vomiting are common side effects of percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Nowadays, non-pharmacological and complementary therapies have been noticed. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of lavender and clary sage on the pain, nausea, and vomiting after percutaneous nephrolithotomy. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This is a randomized clinical trial study on 79 patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Patients were randomly divided into three groups of lavender aromatherapy (<i>n</i> = 27), clary sage aromatherapy (<i>n</i> = 26), and a control group (<i>n</i> = 26). Each of the intervention groups received the inhalation aromatherapy immediately and 3 and 6 h after the operation. Pain, nausea, and emetic episodes in patients of the three groups were measured before the intervention and 30 min after each intervention using a visual analog scale and checklist. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Pain decreased significantly in the clary sage aromatherapy group. Nausea had a downward trend in the two groups of aromatherapy. The lavender aromatherapy group had the lowest incidence of emetic episodes compared to the other groups. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Regarding the annoying pain, nausea, and vomiting after percutaneous nephrolithotomy for patients, and taking into account the complications of drug therapy, the use of complementary non-pharmacological methods can help increase the comfort of patients.