The Effects of Inhalation Aromatherapy Using Lavender Essential Oil on Postoperative Pain of Inguinal Hernia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose: One of the main problems after inguinal hernia surgery is postoperative pain. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aromatherapy with lavender oil inhalation on postoperative pain after inguinal hernia surgery.

Design: A randomized controlled design was used.

Methods: Ninety participants were selected and assigned to two groups: the intervention group (n = 45) and the control group (n = 45). The patients in the intervention group inhaled four drops of 2% lavender essential oil with oxygen for 20 minutes. The patients in the control group inhaled only oxygen. Postoperative pain was measured 0 minutes after being transferred to the surgery ward, and then 2 hours, 6 hours, and 24 hours after surgery using the visual analog scale.

Findings: In comparison to the control group, levels of pain severity in the intervention group were significantly lower in four stages of measurements (P < .001). Also, in all stages, measurements showed significant statistical differences within the groups (P < .001).

Conclusions: Aromatherapy with lavender essential oil helped decrease postoperative pain after inguinal hernia surgery.