"In the tube" following sternotomy: A quasi-experimental study

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Postoperative Rehabilitation
• Patient Outcomes

Background:

• Traditional sternal precautions limit physical movement for cardiac surgery patients up to 12 weeks post-operation.
• These precautions restrict arm movement to protect the healing sternum, potentially delaying recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the 'Keep Your Move in the Tube' protocol with standard sternal precautions in cardiac surgery patients.
• The study evaluated return to function, pain, wound healing, medication use, and hospital stay.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental design involved 200 patients (100 per group) undergoing median sternotomy.
• Patients were monitored for 12 weeks post-operation, with assessments at day 7 and weeks 4, 8, and 12.

Main Results:

• The 'Keep Your Move in the Tube' group showed significantly better return to functional activities over time (p<0.0001).
• While initial differences were noted, they minimized by week 12.
• Multivariate analysis identified age, BMI, and female sex as factors in functional impairment, independent of the protocol used.

Conclusions:

• The 'Keep Your Move in the Tube' protocol offers a promising alternative for cardiac surgery recovery.
• This patient-oriented movement protocol may increase patient confidence and comfort during the postoperative period.