Effect of Relaxation Technique on Pain Intensity during Chest Tube Removal following Cardiac Surgery

Abstract

Insertions of chest tubes following cardiac surgery are required to maintain hemodynamic stability and cardiopulmonary function and facilitate drainage from the pleural, pericardial or mediastinal cavity. Chest tubes are usually removed 2-3 days after cardiac surgery, when air, fluid and blood have been properly evacuated. The process of removal of the chest tubes can cause acute severe pain which is usually considered as one of the worst experiences for patients after cardiac surgery (Tareq, et al., 2020). Patients following cardiac surgery have pain as a result of the surgical incisions, as well as irritation and inflammation of the pleura caused by chest tubes. The procedure of removing the chest tubes frequently results in the pulling of endothelial tissue attached to the tube, as well as stimulation of intercostal nerves and irritated pleura, all of which can cause pain (El–Naggar, et al., 2020).