The impact of warming on pain and wound healing after hernia surgery: a preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the application of warmth after hernia surgery reduces pain and aids wound healing.


METHODS
Forty-five patients were recruited and randomised to receive either no warming;two hours of warming immediately after surgery; or seven days of warming.


RESULTS
Postoperative pain scores were significantly lower after two hours of warming immediately after surgery compared with the non-warmed patients (p<0.05). Pain scores were lower on each of the first seven postoperative days in the warmed groups compared with the non-warmed subjects. Patients in the warmed groups also had lower ASEPSIS wound scores.


CONCLUSIONS
Warming may allow wounds to heal with fewer complications. In addition, warming for only two hours immediately after surgery may provide similar benefits to seven days of warming.
Emeritus Professor of Surgery, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. andymelling@btinternet.com
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Melling
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Leaper
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*