The Effect of Aloe Vera Gel on Saphenous Vein Harvest Wound Healing and Local Pain in Non-diabetic Patients Undergoing CABG Surgery: A Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is a common surgical procedure in patients with heart disease associated with pain and problems with great saphenous veins (GSVs) wound healing. Objectives: We aimed to determine the effect of aloe vera gel on pain intensity, and GSVs wound healing in non-diabetic patients undergoing CABG. Methods: In this clinical trial, 35 CABG candidate patients fulfilling admission criteria were selected by convenience sampling, and their lower limbs were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. The wound care for both groups was the same except for using aloe vera gel for the intervention group from the first to the fourth days after surgery. Pain intensity and GSVs wound healing data were collected by Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, and Approximation (REEDA) scale and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) questionnaires on the first, fourth, seventh, and fourteenth days and analyzed by SPSS software. Results: On the seventh day, the mean pain intensity in the intervention group was significantly lower (P = 0.01). The mean scores of wound healing in the intervention limb decreased faster; however, the wound healing score was not significantly different between the two groups at any time (P > 0.05). Using aloe vera gel reduced ecchymosis on the seventh and fourteenth days and reduced pain on the seventh day compared to the control limb (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Aloe vera gel can effectively reduce GSVs' pain intensity and ecchymosis from the seventh day. The topical application of this herb can have various degrees of effectiveness in decreasing pain and speeding up the healing of surgical wounds.

Evaluating the role of Shujing Tongdu massage in enhancing wound recovery and alleviating spinal disease symptoms: A randomized controlled trial

“…Upon analysing the results of the investigation concerning Shujing Tongdu massage, it becomes indisputable that the intervention group underwent substantial enhancements in pain management, ROM, wound healing and overall quality of life. These findings are consistent with the extensive research that substantiates the therapeutic advantages of massage following surgical procedures 15–17 …”

“…These findings are consistent with the extensive research that substantiates the therapeutic advantages of massage following surgical procedures. [15][16][17] T A B L E 1 Participant demographic characteristics. Comparable to anti-inflammatory medications, massage was found to be beneficial for chronic low back pain in a published study.…”