Impact of Topical Aromatherapy on Postoperative Quality of Recovery After Lung Resection

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in France. Lung resection is thestandard treatment for early‐stage or locally advanced non‐small cell lung cancer, but itremains a very painful procedure with a high risk of complications and a morbidity rateof around 30%. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have reduced morbidityand mortality through standardized perioperative care. Early and optimal pain control isessential to promote rapid mobilization, limit complications, and prevent chronicity.Despite multimodal management, acute, neuropathic, and chronic pain remain common afterlung resection and impair the quality of recovery.Complementary approaches, such as aromatherapy, are increasingly used to supportconventional treatments, sometimes reducing the use of morphine derivatives and theiradverse effects. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil and its main components,linalool and linalyl acetate, whose antinociceptive, anti‐inflammatory, and anxiolyticproperties are well documented, is of particular interest. Our study will evaluate theeffect of daily application of 5% lavender essential oil (AromaQoR) to the skin aroundthe surgical wound for three days following surgery on improving the quality of recovery.The surgeon preselects eligible patients and the coordinating nurse ("IDEC") presents thestudy to them during a preoperative interview. The day before surgery, the IDEC obtainsconsent, has the QoR‐15F completed, and performs an AromaQoR skin test. On the morning ofsurgery, only patients without allergic reactions are included and then randomized intotwo groups: placebo (PL) or intervention (AT). From D0 to D2, the intervention (placeboor AromaQoR) is applied every evening, while the QoR‐15F questionnaire is collected dailyby a different team. Pain scores (EN, DN4) are measured regularly, with only those takenthe following morning being recorded, and all rescue analgesics are recorded. Apost‐operative consultation is conducted three weeks after discharge, during which theIDEC measures the EN and DN4 and collects the QoR‐15F questionnaire completed by thepatient. This consultation marks the end of follow‐up for the trial.