Survey of Postoperative Activity Guidelines After Minimally Invasive Gynecologic and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery

Most surgeons recommend restriction of activities after minimally invasive gynecologic and pelvic reconstructive surgery. The goal of this study was to identify and assess the postoperative guidelines gynecologists and urogynecologists provide their patients.

This was a cross-sectional study of physicians at a national gynecology conference in March 2018. Respondents were asked to answer questions about the typical postoperative recommendations they provide patients after gynecologic surgery as well as their postoperative prescribing habits.

There were 418 attendees, and 135 (32%) eligible physicians completed the survey. Of respondents, 87% were specialists in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. Most respondents (61%) were in academic practice. Most respondents (82%-86%) recommended specific postoperative lifting restrictions, and 49% to 52% recommended limiting lifting to a maximum of 10 lb after surgery with some variation depending on the surgical procedure performed. Many respondents (42%-56% depending on the surgical procedure) recommended that patients wait at least 2 weeks before returning to sedentary work. Male respondents and those who were in practice for more than 10 years recommended that patients return to work sooner compared with those who were in practice less than 10 years. Male respondents prescribed fewer opioids to patients after vaginal hysterectomy (P = 0.04) and vaginal prolapse repair (P = 0.03) compared with female respondents.

After minimally invasive gynecologic or pelvic reconstructive surgery, providers recommend a wide range of postoperative restrictions and prescribe significantly different quantities of opioids during the postoperative period. This study highlights some of the recommendations with the greatest variability.