İstanbul Yeni Yüzyıl Üniversitesi
Yeni Yüzyıl Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: This study aimed to review postgraduate nursing theses focusing on non-pharmacological methods used for pain management after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Method: The study was conducted between October 1 and 20, 2025, using the National Thesis Center database of the Council of Higher Education. The database was searched using the keywords “laparoscopic cholecystectomy,” “pain,” “massage,” and “relaxation.” Inclusion criteria were theses conducted in the field of nursing, with open access and full-text availability, and designed as randomized controlled trials. Of the 62 theses initially identified, 22 postgraduate theses that met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Data were analyzed and presented as numbers and percentages. Results: The reviewed theses were conducted between 2007 and 2025, and 50% were doctoral dissertations. Sample sizes ranged from 39 to 188 participants. The Visual Analog Scale was used for pain assessment in 62.5% of the theses. A total of nine different non-pharmacological methods were used, with massage and acupressure being the most frequently preferred interventions. Conclusion: The findings indicate that nonpharmacological methods are effective in reducing pain and decreasing analgesic requirements following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Therefore, it is important to integrate these methods into clinical practice and to increase the number of high-quality studies in this field.

Apical periodontitis is a common oral inflammatory disease that develops as a result of infection of the dental pulp and progresses with destruction of periapical bone. Although generally considered a localized infection, microorganisms in periapical tissues, their toxic by- products, and inflammatory mediators produced at the lesion site may enter systemic circulation. These factors can modulate the host immune response and contribute to the pathogenesis of systemic diseases. Therefore, apical periodontitis should not be regarded solely as a localized dental condition but also as a disease with systemic implications. Conversely, the hyperinflammatory state observed in chronic systemic diseases may influence the progression of apical periodontitis and affect treatment outcomes. However, the nature of this relationship and underlying biological mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. In this review, a literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Keywords including “apical periodontitis,” “systemic diseases,” “inflammation,” “cardiovascular diseases,” “diabetes,” “autoimmune diseases,” and “psychiatric disorders” were used in combinations. Retrieved studies were evaluated based on recency, scientific quality, and relevance, with priority given to recent publications. A better understanding of the interaction between apical periodontitis, systemic inflammation, and chronic diseases may contribute to improved risk management and prognostic outcomes.Accordingly, this review aims to evaluate associations between apical periodontitis and systemic diseases, as well as mechanisms underlying this interaction.