Effects of Rosemary on Bleeding and Pain following Intubation after General Anesthesia in Women Candidates for Breast Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial Study

Bleeding following intubation and extubation after general anesthesia is a relatively common complication that is associated with a high prevalence in some surgeries such as breast surgeries. The use of traditional medicines has been welcomed by anesthesiologists due to their minor side effects. This study was performed with aim to investigate the effects of rosemary on bleeding and pain of intubation after general anesthesia for women candidates for breast surgery.

The clinical trial study was performed in 2017-2018 on 70 patients who need general anesthesia in Imam Reza Hospital, Tabriz. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups of intervention (inserting sterile gas impregnated with rosemary in the patient's throat) and control (inserting sterile gas impregnated with stilled water in the patient's throat). Observation of bleeding and pain due to intubation was measured by VAS instrument in the recovery and 2, 6, 24 hours after the surgery. Data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software (version 25) and independent t-test and chi-square test. P<0.05 was considered sttisticallyy significant.

Eleven patients (31.42%) in the intervention group and 14 (40%) in the control group had post-extubation bleeding (P = 0.309). Also, the number of pain due to intubation (P <0.05) and pain intensity (P >0.05) at different times showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups.

Sterile packs impregnated with rosemary extract could not prevent bleeding and pain due to intubation in women candidates for breast surgery.