Effect of Ice Pack and Warm Gel Pad Use During Drain Removal on Anxiety, Comfort, Physiological Parameters, and Patient Satisfaction Undergoing Open Urological Surgery

The study was planned as a randomized controlled experimental study to determine the effects of ice pack and warm gel pad application during drain removal on anxiety, comfort, hemodynamic parameters, and patient satisfaction in patients undergoing open urological surgery. The study will be conducted between February 2026 and February 2027 with individuals who apply to the Urology Department of Mersin University Hospital during this period and meet the sample inclusion criteria. The sample size of the study was calculated using an a priori power analysis with the G\*Power 3.1 program. In the analysis, the ANOVA: Repeated Measures, Between Factors test was used, with an effect size of f = 0.25 (Kang, 2021), a significance level of α = 0.05, and a power (1-β) of 0.80. Based on the assumption of three groups and two measurement times, the minimum total sample size required for the study was calculated as 120 participants (ice pack group: 40, warm gel pad group: 40, control group: 40). A post hoc power analysis will be performed at the end of the study. Data will be collected using the Descriptive Information Form, Satisfaction Assessment Scale, Comfort Assessment Scale, State Anxiety Inventory, and Hemodynamic Variables Monitoring Form. Fifteen minutes before the procedure, patients will complete the Descriptive Information Form, State Anxiety Inventory, and Hemodynamic Variables Monitoring Form. After completing and recording the forms, participants will be assigned to either the intervention or control group according to the randomization schedule. In the ice pack group, when the decision is made to remove the surgical drain, the drain site will be disinfected before and after each procedure using a 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA)-based solution. A 17 × 9 cm ice pack stored at -10°C will be wrapped in sterile gauze and applied to the drain site for approximately 10 minutes. The temperature of the application area will be measured at one-minute intervals using a calibrated infrared thermometer. When the area reaches a temperature of 13.6°C, the physician will be informed and the drain removal procedure will be initiated. In the warm gel pad group, the drain site will be assessed for integrity and leakage before and after each procedure, disinfected using 70% IPA, and then covered with a 15 × 8 cm gel pad kept at room temperature. The gel pad will be applied around the drain and covered with sterile sponges. After approximately 10 minutes of application, the drain will be removed by the physician. In the control group, when the decision is made to remove the surgical drain, the procedure will be performed by the physician and routine clinical practices will be applied. After the procedure, patients will complete the Satisfaction Assessment Scale, Comfort Assessment Scale, State Anxiety Inventory, and Hemodynamic Variables Monitoring Form.