Background:Craniotomy is a fundamental approach for managing traumatic brain injuries globally. Patients recovering from craniotomy often experience moderate to severe pain, along with periorbital swelling and bruising. Cold therapy and Aloe Vera Gel are non-pharmacological methods that may help alleviate pain and reduce edema after the procedure. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of cold therapy versus Aloe Vera Gel in decreasing pain, periorbital swelling, and bruising following craniotomy. The study involved a convenient sample of 90 patients admitted to the neurosurgery ICU, employing a quasi-experimental design with both study and control groups. Setting: Neuro surgery ICU at Menoufia University Hospital, Shebin EL-Kom, Egypt. Instruments: 1) Demographic and Medical data sheet; 2) Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS) used to measure pain intensity post cranitomy; 3) Modified Surgeon Periorbital Rating of Edema and Ecchymosis (SPREE) used to assess periorbital edema and ecchymosis post craniotomy ; 4) Glasgow Coma Scale used as screening tool to assess conscious level. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between study groups who received cold application compared to the group who received Aloe Vera Gel regarding for pain intensity post intervention (p < 0.001). Periorbital edema and ecchymosis was significantly reduced in the study group who received cold application compared to the group who received Aloe Vera Gel (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Cold Application is superior to Aloe Vera gel in reducing pain intensity, periorbital edema and ecchymosis post craniotomy. Recommendation: Encourage critical care nurses to create practice guidelines for managing pain after craniotomy, incorporating cold therapy as a non-pharmacological option.

Key Words:Aloe Vera Gel, Cold Application, Ecchymosis, Periorbital Edema, Post Craniotomy.

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