The effect of foot bath applied after laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery on flatulence, pain and patient satisfaction: Randomized controlled experimental study

Aim: This study was planned to determine the effect of hot water foot bath application on gas removal, pain and satisfaction with nursing care after laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery. Material and Method: This study was designed as a randomized controlled, and regular design. The sample consisted of 140 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the general surgery clinic of a public hospital in the Black Sea Region between January 15, 2024, and October 15, 2025, met the inclusion criteria, and agreed to participate. Data collection tools included the Personal Information Form, Gas Expulsion and Pain Monitoring Form, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Newcastle Satisfaction with Nursing Scale (NSNS). Data analysis was performed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test, Mann-Whitney U Test, Pearson Chi-Square Test, Yates-corrected Chi-Square Test, Monte Carlo-corrected Fisher's Exact Test, Fisher's Exact Test, Robust ANOVA, and Bonferroni Test. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: As a result of the study, it was determined that the pain scores of the participants in the experimental group significantly decreased after both interventions compared to their pre-intervention scores and those of the control group (p<0.01). Postoperative pain levels were found to be lower in the experimental group compared to the control group, and a significant positive correlation was identified between the time of first gas expulsion and pain levels in both groups (r=0.464–0.563 for the experimental group; r = 0.406–0.460 for the control group; p<0.001). The NSNS mean scores of the experimental group participants were higher than those of the control group (p<0.05). A significant relationship between income status and satisfaction was observed only in the experimental group (p<0.05). Conclusions: In this study, the effects of foot bath application after laparoscopic cholecystectomy were examined. The findings indicate that the foot bath is effective in reducing postoperative pain, shortening the time to first gas expulsion and increasing patient satisfaction. Keywords: Pain, foot bath, care satisfaction, gas expulsion, laparoscopic surgery, warm treatment