Methods: The study was conducted on 97 individuals (experiment group, n:47; control group, n:50) who had underwent gynecological operations (Operations of A, B and C groups) except cesarean section at an obstetrical hospital in Bursa. Data were collected in the forms of Patient Information Form, Nausea and Vomiting Surveillance Form, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Perianesthesia Comfort Scale and General Comfort Scale and the data obtained were analyzed using SPSS program.
Results: No statistically significant differences were found between the groups in the specifications that might affect the postoperative nause and vomiting status of the patients (age, type of operation, nausea and vomiting experience in prior operations, status of cigarette smoking, history of car sickness, body mass index, preoperative state-trait anxiety points, and type and duration of anesthesia; p>0,05). Application of acupression on the point of P6 in 0-48 hours after the operation was identified to be as effective as pharmacological methods on the prevention of vomiting, while it was even more effective on the severity of nausea and was equally effective on vital signs compared to the pharmacological methods. Median duration of hospitalization of the individuals, perianesthesia comfort points, postoperative state-trait anxiety points and General Comfort Scale were 4 days and 5 days, 5,33 and 4,87 points, 46 and 44 points, and 156 and 148 points in the experiment and control groups, respectively. These data obtained demonstrated that the duration of hospitalization was shorter, state-trait anxiety was decreased further and general comfort was better in the experiment group compared to the control group.
Conclusion: In conclusion, acupressure application on the P6 acupuncture point on the wrist with a wrist band is as effective as pharmacological methods in the prevention of nausea and vomiting which develop during the postoperative period. On the other hand, this study suggested that absence of nausea and vomiting might have provided comfort and thus comfort of the individual might have resulted in the decrease of anxiety level.