2.3. Randomization and blinding

Randomization was performed prior to skin closure, using sequentially numbered concealed envelopes administered by a third party. The patients were divided into two groups: the control group and the intervention group. The surgical team was not blinded during the perioperative period, but both the patients and the assessors were blinded throughout the study, ensuring that they were unaware of the specific group assignments and minimizing potential biases.