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Related Experiment Videos

Postoperative activity restrictions: any evidence?

Larissa F Weir1, Ingrid E Nygaard, Jason Wilken

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium, Texas, USA.

Obstetrics and Gynecology
|February 2, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Many postoperative activity restrictions are unnecessary. Intra-abdominal pressures during common activities vary, with some restricted actions posing no greater risk than daily tasks like sitting up. Lifting technique significantly impacts pressure.

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Area of Science:

  • Urogynecology
  • Physiology
  • Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

  • A common, unverified belief links increased intra-abdominal pressure to pelvic floor disorders.
  • Physicians frequently impose activity restrictions postoperatively based on this belief.
  • The actual intra-abdominal pressures generated by common physical activities remain largely undescribed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify intra-abdominal pressures during a range of everyday physical activities.
  • To evaluate the impact of different activities on intra-abdominal pressure.
  • To inform postoperative guidelines regarding activity restrictions.

Main Methods:

  • Thirty women (varied age/weight) without pelvic floor disorders participated.
  • Intra-abdominal pressures were measured using microtip rectal catheters during 3 repetitions of various activities.

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  • Correlations between pressure, body mass index, abdominal circumference, and grip strength were analyzed.

    • Main Results:

    • Peak intra-abdominal pressures varied significantly, from 48 cm H(2)O (lifting 8 lb from counter) to 150 cm H(2)O (lifting 35 lb from floor).
    • Many activities, including lifting lighter weights, stair climbing, walking, and crunches, generated pressures similar to or less than rising from a chair.
    • Higher body mass index and abdominal circumference correlated with increased peak pressures, but not net pressures. Age and grip strength showed no association.

    Conclusions:

    • Some commonly restricted postoperative activities exert no greater effect on intra-abdominal pressure than essential daily movements.
    • The method of lifting significantly influences intra-abdominal pressure.
    • Current postoperative activity restrictions may be overly conservative; further research is needed to confirm the link between intra-abdominal pressure and pelvic floor disorders.