Abdominal Binder and Steps Trial
Abdominal Binder and Steps Trial
Large lower abdominal incisions are still used in many types of common gynecologic surgeries.
 Patients may experience pain and restrictions to ambulation because of this, which can make
 healing after surgery harder and more complicated. Abdominal binders, through their added
 abdominal support, may provide a low cost intervention to help people heal. The study team
 aims to investigate the effects of abdominal binders on walking in the post- gynecologic
 surgery period.
Laparotomy is a commonly utilized modality for abdominal entry in benign gynecologic surgery
 despite preference for minimally invasive techniques when surgically feasible. As with other
 major abdominal surgeries, patients may experience pain and restrictions to ambulation
 related to the abdominal incision that complicate the postoperative period. Abdominal
 binders, through their added abdominal support, may provide a low cost, noninvasive
 intervention to enhance this vital recovery period. Though the use of abdominal binders have
 been studied extensively in the postcesarean section patient, no report to date exists
 assessing the effects on abdominal binders in the postoperative course of benign gynecologic
 surgeries. The study team aims to investigate the effects of abdominal binders on ambulation
 in the postoperative period after laparotomy for benign gynecologic surgery. The primary
 outcome is quantitative ambulation via electronic step counter. Secondary outcomes include
 time to ambulation, quantitative narcotic utilization, visual analogue pain scale, subjective
 overall wellbeing. With 85% power the study team attempts to calculate a 1200 step difference
 in means between abdominal binder and control groups using 67 patients per study arm.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  English-speaking

 -  Female

 -  Patients undergoing benign hysterectomy or myomectomy via low-transverse laparotomy.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  ASA classification of three or higher

 -  Malignancy

 -  Non-English speaking