Effect of cold application in combination with Indomethacin suppository on chest tube removal pain in patients undergoing open heart surgery

BACKGROUND Chest tube removal is a painful procedure. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of cold application in combination with Indomethacin suppository on chest tube removal pain in patients undergoing open heart surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS This single-blind, double-group clinical trial was performed on 66 patients aged 18-68 years with the chest tube in pleural space. The Indomethacin suppository (100 mg) was administered 1 h before the chest tub removal in both groups. In the intervention group, we applied a 4°C cold pack in the chest tube side for 20 min. In the placebo group, the applied pack was at room temperature. Pain intensity was measured by Visual Analog Score 20 min before, immediately after, and 15 min after the chest tube removal. RESULTS Immediately after the CTR, the mean pain score was 2.67 ± 0.79 and 3.9 ± 0.76 in the intervention and placebo groups, respectively. The pain scores measured before and 15 min after the CTR were not statistically different between the two groups. CONCLUSION Application of cold in combination with Indomethacin suppository during the CTR was a suitable, low-risk, and easy method for pain control in open heart patients.