Patterns and relief of discomfort following ureteral reimplant surgery: the effects of parent coached relaxation

The purpose of the study was to identify the nature of discomfort and described the degree of relief obtained from specific interventions following ureteral reimplant surgery. The design was quasi-experimental consisting of two groups, one utilizing parent-coached relaxation, the other not. Eighteen children aged three to nine years old participated in the study. The relaxation technique used combined principles of four effective methods: progressive relaxation, psychoprophylactic breathing, autosuggestion, and biofeedback assisted relaxation. Bladder spasms were the most common discomfort experienced, occurring twice as frequently as incisional pain or vomiting. Discomforts were greatest the first postoperative day, but the incidence of bladder spasms as the predominant discomfort did not start until the second postoperative day. Those taught relaxation generally had fewer discomforts which responded better to relief measures. Antisopasmotic or norcotic medications and relaxation techniques were more effective respectively, but the most relief was obtained when these interventions were combined. Preoperative education, reducing anxiety and encouraging positive parent-child interaction, may have further promoted comfort. Nurses are encouraged to incorporate relaxation into current nursing care as its effectiveness has been demonstrated and it can be learned by a three-year-old.