The effect of use of elastic compression stocking in patients after spinal surgery on orthostatic hypotension during the first mobilization

Aim: To determine the effect of use of thigh-high elastic compression stocking in patients after spinal surgery on the development of orthostatic hypotension (OH) during the first mobilization after surgery. Materials and Methods: The study was a randomized controlled trial. It was conducted between 15 October 2017 and 1 May 2018 in the neurosurgery clinic of a training and research hospital in the west of Turkey with 70 patients undergoing spinal surgery. Patients in the intervention group used thigh-high elastic compression stocking before surgery. The data were collected using the personal information form, patient observation form, and OH symptom identification form. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Student t test, Mann Whitney U test, chi-square test, paired t test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Friedman test, and multiple variables logistic regression analysis. Findings: The study showed that OH occurred in 2,9% of the patients in the intervention group and 48,6% of patients in the control group during the first mobilization after surgery. OH occurred mostly in the upright position (in the 3rd min). Further, the rate of development of OH in the intervention group was 0.06 times (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0,01-0,42) lower than that in the control group, and the prevalence of symptoms of OH was lower in the patients in the intervention group. The study found that the pain level in the incision area increased the rate of development of OH by 4,3 times (95% CI: 1,12-16,78, p < 0,05). Conclusion: Study results showed that the use of thigh-high elastic compression stocking during first mobilization in patients who underwent spinal surgery decreased the development and symptoms of OH. Thus, the use of elastic compression stocking after spinal surgery is recommended for the prevention of development of OH. Key words: elastic compression stocking, mobilization, orthostatic hypotension, spinal surgery