The Effect of Mint Product on Pain Relief after Elective Cholecystectomy- A Double Blind Clinical Trial

Background: Bloating (emphysema) is one of the causes of postoperative cholecystectomy. Studies show that despite various analgesics, 77% of patients hospitalized at surgery and internal wards suffer from pain, for which different drugs can be used to relief the pain. Mint is one of the herbal remedies used for the treatment of bloating (emphysema). Due to the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of mint, it is effective in the betterment of abdominal cramps. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of mint product on the relief of postoperative pain severity following cholecystectomy. Method: This is a double-blind clinical trial carried out in Emdad hospital of Sabzevar City. This study conducted on a total of 107 patients (47 placebo and 60 drug patients), who were candidates for cholecystectomy. Drug and placebo were administered (40 drops three times every 20 minutes) to patients suffering from postoperative pain after the recovery or stimulation of the gag reflux and onset of pain. The effect of mint extract on pain intensity was evaluated using the visual acuity scale. Results: The results of Mann-Whitney test showed that pain intensity in the drug group was significantly lower than the placebo group at the second and third 20 minutes, as well as 120 minutes after the intervention (P< 0.001). Conclusion: According to the findings, the hypothesis of mint effect on the reduction of the postoperative cholecystectomy pain intensity was confirmed in the drug group in comparison with the placebo group.