The Effects of Two Different Cold Application Times on Edema, Ecchymosis, and Pain After Rhinoplasty: A Randomized Clinical Trial

This study was performed to determine the effects of different cold application times to the periorbital area after rhinoplasty on edema, ecchymosis, and pain. A randomized clinical study. Patients were divided into two groups, and cold application was applied to one group for 4 hours and to the other for 48 hours. The cold application was applied with ice packs for 20 minutes every hour to the periorbital region in both groups. Data were collected with the Patient Information Form, Scoring Diagram for Edema, the Scoring Diagram for Ecchymosis, and the Visual Analogue Scale for Pain. Periorbital edema, eyelid ecchymosis, and pain were not significantly different between the two groups. The mean edema score of the 48-hour group was 0.87 ± 0.93, while the mean edema score of the 4-hour group was 0.70 ± 0.87 (P = .48) on the 2nd day. The mean ecchymosis score was found as 2.03 ± 1.12 in the 48-hour group and 2.10 ± 1.09 in the 4-hour group (P = .817). The mean pain score was 12.50 ± 17.40 in the 48-hour group and 13.00 ± 16.00 in the 4-hour group (P = .98). The effects of 48-hour and 4-hour cold applications are similar. Cold application for 4 hours may be recommended to patients who undergo rhinoplasty, as it is more practical and easier to apply than the 48-hour practice.