The effect of anti-pressure position gel pad in procedures under general anesthesia on postoperative low back pain and walking time: A quasi-experimental study

Abstract

Background: Postoperative low back pain is frequently observed in patients undergoing general anesthesia. Having LBP in the first week after surgery affects the mobilization process of the patients. Placing an anti-pressure position gel pad on the lumbar region during surgery may improve patient outcomes. Methods: The aim of this single-blind quasi-experimental study was to evaluate the effect of the anti-pressure lumbar gel pad on postoperative LBP and mobilization time at the first mobilization following surgeries performed in the supine position under general anesthesia. The study was carried out in the general surgery operation room. A total of 168 patients were included in the study. In the experimental group, after induction of general anesthesia a small size anti-pressure gel pad was placed on the lumbar region of ​​patients with BMI ˂18.5, medium size for those with a BMI of 18.5–24.9, and a large size anti-pressure gel pad for patients with a BMI of 25–29.9. We collected sociodemographic information and measured postoperative LBP and walking time using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale and a stopwatch. Results: In the experimental group, the mean LBP severity score was 2.63 ± 1.10 on admission to the general surgery clinic after surgery (day 0), 2.58 ± 0.98 after surgery before the first mobilization, 1.43 ± 1.07 on postoperative day 1, 0.87 ± 1.05 on day 2, and 0.21 ± 0.58 on day 6. In the control group, the mean LBP severity score at these time points was 4.29 ± 1.47, 4.58 ± 1.49, 3.99 ± 1.43, 3.61 ± 1.47, and 2.92 ± 1.43, respectively. A significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of the LBP severity mean scores (F = 58.913, p ˂ 0.05) The mean walking time at the first mobilization in experimental and control groups was 12.08 ± 2.82 and 9.88 ± 2.90 min, respectively. A significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of the mean walking time (t = 4.988, p ˂ 0.001). Conclusion: The use of an anti-pressure lumbar gel pad improved postoperative LBP and the length of time spent walking at the first mobilization.