EFFECTIVENESS OF EARLY ORAL HYDRATION IN RELIEVING POSTOPERATIVE THIRST IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING UROLOGICAL ENDOSCOPIC PROCEDURES: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

Background: Postoperative thirst is one of the most prevalent and distressing sensations for individuals recovering from general anesthesia. Early oral hydration has been recommended as a way to increase patient comfort after urological endoscopic procedures; however, there is insufficient evidence supporting this strategy. Objective: To determine the efficacy of early oral hydration in alleviating postoperative thirst in patients following urological endoscopic procedures. Methods: The study was a randomized controlled trial conducted at Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi, from 1st April, 2026 to 30th June, 2026. A total of 200 adult patients undergoing elective urological endoscopic procedures under general anesthesia were randomized equally to receive either early oral hydration after recovery of protective airway reflexes or standard delayed oral hydration. SPSS 26 was used for data analysis, and p≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Both groups had similar baseline demographic and clinical characteristics. Early oral hydration significantly reduced postoperative thirst scores and decreased thirst levels compared to controls (p<0.001). In the intervention group, patients reported higher levels of comfort and satisfaction, as well as earlier initiation of oral hydration (p<0.001). Conclusion: Early oral hydration is a safe, easy, and effective technique for reducing postoperative thirst and improving patient comfort and satisfaction in patients following urological endoscopic procedures while minimizing hydration-related problems.