The international surgical journal with global reach

This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Ice packs reduce postoperative midline incision pain and narcotic use: a randomized controlled trial. J Am Coll Surg 2014; 219: 511-517.

Published: 5th February 2015

Authors: Watkins AA, Johnson TV, Shrewsberry AB, Nourparvar P, Madni T, Watkins CJ et al. et al.

Conclusion

Ice therapy given regularly over the first 24h postoperatively reduced pain scores on days one and three after surgery (P<0.005) and analgesic use by 3.9 morphine equivalents on day one (P=0.008) in this study of 55 procedures.

Pubmed Link