To compare the effect of three different methods in the operative area after inguinal hernia operation.

A total of 89 patients who underwent inguinal hernia repair in the Department of General Surgery of the First Hospital Affiliated to University of Science and Technology of China (Anhui Provincial Hospital) from December 2021 to February 2022 were selected and randomly divided into three groups by random number table method (group A, B and C). 29 cases in group A were exempted from compression, 30 cases in group B were treated with salt bag compression in the groin area of the operative side, and in group C, the inguinal area of the operative side was compressed with ice bag. The postoperative pain and comfort score, the incidence of seroma after operation and the satisfaction with medical service were compared among the three groups.

The score of pain 6 hours postoperative and the incidence of seroma within 1 month postoperative in group C were lower than those in group A. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The satisfaction with medical service in group C was better than those in group A and group B, and the difference was statistically significant. There was no significant difference in the score of pain 6 hours postoperative, the incidence of seroma within 1 month postoperative and the satisfaction with medical service between group B and group A (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in comfort score among the three groups (P>0.05).

The compression of ice bag in the operative area of inguinal hernia patients after operation can reduce the pain score and the incidence of postoperative seroma, and improve the patients' satisfaction with medical service.