Effect of ultrasound-enhanced bee venom on selected post inguinal hernioplasty complications: a single-blind randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: Bee venom (BV) phonophoresis has been recommended as a non-invasive treatment for a variety of inflammatory conditions and for reducing post-operative pain. This study aimed at evaluating the impact of bee venom phonophoresis around incisions and on selected acupuncture points for the treatment of pain, inflammation, and mobility of the hip following inguinal hernioplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-six male patients who had acute pain and decreased mobility of the hip after having an indirect unilateral inguinal hernioplasty with a mesh participated in this study. Patients were randomly assigned into two equal groups of 33. The bee venom phonophoresis group (Group A) received low-intensity pulsed ultrasound using BV gel, and the control group (Group B) received low-intensity pulsed ultrasound using only plain gel without BV gel. Both groups received the same regular medical care and 5 minutes of therapy each, three times a week, for three weeks postoperative. The visual analogue scale (VAS), serum C-reactive protein (CRP), and hip ROM measurements were used to assess the acute pain, inflammation, and ROM pre-application (pre-treatment) and post-3 weeks of treatment (post-treatment) for both groups. RESULTS: The findings have exhibited an extremely significant difference in VAS, CRP, and hip ROM measurements in the BV phonophoresis group compared to that of the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: BV delivered by phonophoresis around incisions and on selected acupuncture points has a beneficial effect in the treatment of pain, inflammation, and mobility of the hip following inguinal hernioplasty with mesh.