No consensus on restrictions on physical activity to prevent incisional hernias after surgery

TY - JOUR

T1 - No consensus on restrictions on physical activity to prevent incisional hernias after surgery

AU - Pommergaard, H-C

AU - Burcharth, J

AU - Danielsen, Anne Kjaergaard

AU - Angenete, E

AU - Haglind, E

AU - Rosenberg, Jacob

PY - 2014/8

Y1 - 2014/8

N2 - Purpose: In the postoperative phase after colorectal surgery, restrictions on physical activity are often recommended for patients to prevent incisional hernias. However, evidence does not support that restrictions may prevent such hernias. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent of restrictions on physical activity recommended for patients operated for colorectal cancer and to evaluate the agreement among surgical specialists. Methods: A questionnaire was sent to 60 general surgeons (specialists) in Denmark and Sweden working in academic departments of surgery with a high volume of colorectal cancer resections. The questionnaire was case based and contained questions regarding possible restrictions on physical activity recommended for patients 0-2, 2-6 and >6 weeks after resection for colorectal cancer. Agreement among the surgeon on whether restrictions should be recommended was analyzed. Results: Forty-one surgeons answered the questionnaire (68.3 %). The probability that two randomly chosen specialists agreed on whether restrictions should be given was generally low for the first two time periods (0-2 and 2-6 weeks); however, at >6 weeks there was a high level of agreement. Moreover, the number of restrictions recommended was different between the 41 surgeons (p < 0.0005) and more restrictions were recommended for open compared with laparoscopic surgery (p < 0.0005). Conclusions: Major disagreements exist on the degree of restrictions on physical activity that should be recommended for patients after colorectal surgery. As there is no evidence to support that specific restrictions prevent hernia formation, these are merely based on personal preferences. Clinical studies in this area are therefore highly warranted.

AB - Purpose: In the postoperative phase after colorectal surgery, restrictions on physical activity are often recommended for patients to prevent incisional hernias. However, evidence does not support that restrictions may prevent such hernias. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent of restrictions on physical activity recommended for patients operated for colorectal cancer and to evaluate the agreement among surgical specialists. Methods: A questionnaire was sent to 60 general surgeons (specialists) in Denmark and Sweden working in academic departments of surgery with a high volume of colorectal cancer resections. The questionnaire was case based and contained questions regarding possible restrictions on physical activity recommended for patients 0-2, 2-6 and >6 weeks after resection for colorectal cancer. Agreement among the surgeon on whether restrictions should be recommended was analyzed. Results: Forty-one surgeons answered the questionnaire (68.3 %). The probability that two randomly chosen specialists agreed on whether restrictions should be given was generally low for the first two time periods (0-2 and 2-6 weeks); however, at >6 weeks there was a high level of agreement. Moreover, the number of restrictions recommended was different between the 41 surgeons (p < 0.0005) and more restrictions were recommended for open compared with laparoscopic surgery (p < 0.0005). Conclusions: Major disagreements exist on the degree of restrictions on physical activity that should be recommended for patients after colorectal surgery. As there is no evidence to support that specific restrictions prevent hernia formation, these are merely based on personal preferences. Clinical studies in this area are therefore highly warranted.

KW - Colorectal Neoplasms

KW - Consensus

KW - Hernia, Ventral

KW - Humans

KW - Laparoscopy

KW - Laparotomy

KW - Motor Activity

KW - Patient Education as Topic

KW - Questionnaires

U2 - 10.1007/s10029-013-1113-8

DO - 10.1007/s10029-013-1113-8

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 23712287

SN - 1265-4906

VL - 18

SP - 495

EP - 500

JO - Hernia : the journal of hernias and abdominal wall surgery

JF - Hernia : the journal of hernias and abdominal wall surgery

IS - 4

ER -