Cold Water Gargling After Major Abdominal Surgery

NCT07506226 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: ErciyesUniversity_
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 88
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial examined the effect of cold water gargling on postoperative oral dryness, thirst severity, and patient satisfaction in patients who underwent major abdominal surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (cold water gargling) or the control group (standard care). Thirst severity and oral dryness were assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS; 0-10) at postoperative 8, 12, and 24 hours. Perioperative thirst-related discomfort was evaluated using the Perioperative Thirst Discomfort Scale (PTDS; score range 0-12), and patient satisfaction was assessed using a VAS (0-10) at postoperative 24 hours. The study was conducted at Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine Gevher Nesibe Hospital, General Surgery Clinic. A total of 88 patients were enrolled (44 per group). The study aimed to provide evidence for a simple, low-cost nursing intervention to improve postoperative patient comfort.

Conditions

Major Abdominal Surgeries

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Thirst Severity

  Assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS; 0=no thirst, 10=very severe thirst)

  Postoperative 8, 12, and 24 hours

• Oral Dryness Severity

  Assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS; 0=no oral dryness, 10=very severe oral dryness)

  Postoperative 8, 12, and 24 hours

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Perioperative Thirst-Related Discomfort

  Postoperative 24 hours

• Patient Satisfaction

  Postoperative 24 hours

Study Arms (2)

Intervention group

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients in the intervention group gargled with cold water (approximately 10 mL, 4°C) for 30 seconds at postoperative 8, 12, and 24 hours. Gargling was performed under nurse supervision. Patients were instructed not to swallow the water.

Other: Cold water gargling

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

Patients in the control group received standard postoperative care per hospital protocol. No gargling intervention was applied. Oral intake restrictions were maintained as per routine clinical practice.

Interventions

Cold water gargling OTHER

Patients gargled with cold water at postoperative 8, 12, and 24 hours. Each gargling session involved approximately 10 mL of cold water (approximately 4°C) for 30 seconds. The procedure was performed under nurse supervision. Patients were instructed not to swallow the water and to spit it out after gargling. No oral fluid intake was permitted during the study period per standard postoperative protocol.

Intervention group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Aged 18 years or older Scheduled for elective major abdominal surgery Able to communicate verbally Willing to participate and provided written informed consent No restriction on gargling (intact swallowing reflex)

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of oral mucositis, oral ulceration, or any oral pathology History of dysphagia or swallowing difficulties Presence of nausea or vomiting preventing gargling Altered level of consciousness or inability to cooperate Receiving intravenous fluid therapy that resolves thirst symptoms Patients who required reoperation during the study period Patients transferred to the intensive care unit postoperatively

Sponsors & Collaborators

• TC Erciyes University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Erciyes University

Kayseri, Kayseri, 38030, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Dr.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 26, 2026
• First Posted: April 1, 2026
• Study Start: March 19, 2025
• Primary Completion: March 1, 2026
• Study Completion: March 1, 2026
• Last Updated: April 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)