Using patient data to optimize an expert-based guideline on convalescence recommendations after gynecological surgery: a prospective cohort study

Scoping Review of Education for Women About Return to Driving After Abdominal Surgery

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a scoping review to examine the evidence on education provided to women about when to return to driving after abdominal surgery and to assess variation in this education by type of abdominal surgery and source of education.

DATA SOURCES

We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Scopus, and CINAHL for peer-reviewed articles. We searched the publications of professional associations, clinical guidelines, driver's licensing agencies, and clinical trial registries for gray literature. Searches generated 2,908 peer-reviewed titles and abstracts and 20 documents in the gray literature.

STUDY SELECTION

We included articles and documents published in English in which authors reported education, advice, counseling, or recommendations about return to driving after abdominal surgery for women ages 16 to 50 years.

DATA EXTRACTION

We identified 16 peer-reviewed articles and eight documents in the gray literature. We extracted data including the title, authors, country of origin, study design, study purpose, sample size, type of abdominal surgery, education about return to driving, source of evidence to support the education, source of education, outcomes, and relevance to the review question.

DATA SYNTHESIS

We found that recommendations about when to return to driving after abdominal surgery ranged from 1 to 10 weeks after surgery, and 6 weeks after surgery was the most common. Recommended times were shorter for laparoscopic surgeries and longer for nonlaparoscopic surgeries, including cesarean. Most recommendations were provided by health care providers, and some recommendations were provided in leaflets. Evidence to support these recommendations was limited, and they were based on common sense, traditional practice, perceptions of insurance policies, a women's comfort level, or her ability to deploy the emergency brake.

CONCLUSION

Education provided to women about return to driving after abdominal surgery varies substantially and has a weak evidence base.

Predictive factors of return to work after hysterectomy: a retrospective study

Purpose

Although hysterectomy is one of the most frequently performed gynaecological surgeries, there is a dearth of evidence on perioperative care. The aim of the current study was to identify sociodemographic, surgical-related and work-related predictors of recovery following different approaches of hysterectomy.

Methods

Eligible patients for this retrospective cohort study were women who underwent vaginal, abdominal or laparoscopic hysterectomy for both benign and malignant gynaecological disease in 2014 in Máxima Medical Centre in the Netherlands. The main outcome measure was full return to work (RTW). Data were collected using a patient survey. Potential prognostic factors for time to RTW were examined in univariate Cox regression analyses. The strongest prognostic factors were combined in a multivariable model.

Results

In total 83 women were included. Median time to full return to work was 8 weeks (interquartile range [IQR] 6–12). The multivariable analysis showed that higher age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.053, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.012–1.095) and same day removal of indwelling catheter (HR 0.122, 95% CI 0.028–0.539) were predictors of shorter duration until full RTW after hysterectomy.

Conclusions

This study provided insight in the predictors of recovery after hysterectomy. By identifying patient specific factors, pre-operative counselling can be individualized, changes can be made in perioperative care and effective interventions can be designed to target those factors.

Postoperative Work and Activity Restrictions After Abdominal Surgery: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review aims to assess what is known about convalescence following abdominal surgery. Through a review of the basic science and clinical literature, we explored the effect of physical activity on the healing fascia and the optimal timing for postoperative activity.

BACKGROUND

Abdominal surgery confers a 30% risk of incisional hernia development. To mitigate this, surgeons often impose postoperative activity restrictions. However, it is unclear whether this is effective or potentially harmful in preventing hernias.

METHODS

We conducted 2 separate systematic reviews using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The first assessed available basic science literature on fascial healing. The second assessed available clinical literature on activity after abdominal surgery.

RESULTS

Seven articles met inclusion criteria for the basic science review and 22 for the clinical studies review. The basic science data demonstrated variability in maximal tensile strength and time for fascial healing, in part due to differences in layer of abdominal wall measured. Some animal studies indicated a positive effect of physical activity on the healing wound. Most clinical studies were qualitative, with only 3 randomized controlled trials on this topic. Variability was reported on clinician recommendations, time to return to activity, and factors that influence return to activity. Interventions designed to shorten convalescence demonstrated improvements only in patient-reported symptoms. None reported an association between activity and complications, such as incisional hernia.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review identified gaps in our understanding of what is best for patients recovering from abdominal surgery. Randomized controlled trials are crucial in safely optimizing the recovery period.

Lack of Standardized Advice on Physical Strain Following Abdominal Surgery

BACKGROUND

In Germany as elsewhere, standardized recommendations are lacking on the avoidance of physical exertion to protect the abdom - inal wall in patients who have recently undergone abdominal surgery. It is unclear how much stress the abdominal wall can withstand and how long the patient should be exempted from work. The goal of this review is to determine whether there are any standardized, evidence-based recommendations for postoperative care from which valid recommendations for Germany can be derived.

METHODS

We systematically searched the literature for evidence-based recommendations on exertion avoidance after abdominal surgery, as well as for information on the extent to which postoperative abdominal wall stress contributes to incisional hernia formation. We then created a questionnaire on recommendation practices and sent it to all of the chiefs of general and visceral surgery services that were listed in the German hospital registry (1078 chiefs of service as of June 2016).

RESULTS

All 16 of the included studies on postoperative exertion avoidance contained low-level evidence that could only be used to formulate weak recommendations ("can," rather than "should" or "must"). Some 50 000 incisional hernia repair procedures are performed in Germany each year, with a reported incidence of 12.8% in the first two years after surgery. The scientifically documented risk factors for incisional herniation are related to techniques of wound closure, the suture materials used, wound infections, and the patient risk profile. From the biological point of view, the abdominal wall regains full, normal resistance to exertional stress 30 days after a laparotomy with uncomplicated healing. Most incisional hernias (>50%) arise 18 months or more after surgery; they are more common in patients who have avoided exertion for longer periods of time (more than 8 weeks). Our questionnaire was returned by 386 surgical clinics. The responses showed that 78% of recommendations were based on personal experience only. The recommendations varied widely; exertion avoidance was recommended for as long as 6 months.

CONCLUSION

The dilemma of a deficient evidence base for postoperative exertion avoidance to protect the abdominal wall should be resolved with the much higher-quality evidence available from hernia research, which concerns the patient population with the biologically least favorable starting conditions. Based on our analysis of the available literature in light of the biomechanical principles of abdominal wall healing, we propose a new set of recommendations on postoperative exertion avoidance after abdominal surgery, with the goal of eliminating excessively protracted exertion avoidance and enabling a timely return to work.

Patient reported experiences following laparoscopic prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy or salpingectomy in an ambulatory care hospital

Women at risk of developing ovarian cancer because of a BRCA1 or BRCA2 pathogenic variant are candidates for prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO). While BSO surgeries are routinely performed, to our knowledge there are no studies that have examined patient-reported experiences following laparoscopic BSO performed in an ambulatory care setting. The objective of this study was to examine whether women undergoing prophylactic laparoscopic BSO felt they were adequately informed about post-operative outcomes. A telephone interview was conducted among 46 women undergoing laparoscopic BSO to collect detailed information regarding surgical outcomes, complications, symptoms, and time to return to daily activities. The average age at surgery was 45.0 years (range 34-66) and 67% of women underwent BSO prior to age 50. The mean reported hospital stay was 7.2 h (range 4-12 h) and at time of discharge, 78% of the women felt well enough to go home. None of the women required a readmission to hospital. Forty-three percent (n = 20) of the women did not feel well informed about what to expect post-operatively. Most of the patient-reported outcomes (including pain, vaginal bleeding, and nausea/vomiting) were expected and patient-reported menopausal symptoms were more common among women who were premenopausal at surgery. In terms of returning to regular activities, premenopausal women (n = 36) resumed sexual activity on average at 43 days (range 2-365), which is later than postmenopausal women (n = 15) at 19 days (range 7-30). On average, women returned to full-time work in 16 days (range 1-56 days). Despite patients receiving pre-surgery counselling, our findings suggest that there is a need to provide supplemental, reinforcing patient materials in preparing patients for what to expect after surgery.

Bridging different realities - a qualitative study on patients' experiences of preoperative care for benign hysterectomy and opportunistic salpingectomy in Sweden

Background

Hysterectomy is a common procedure worldwide and removing healthy fallopian tubes at the time of hysterectomy (opportunistic salpingectomy) to possibly prevent ovarian cancer is increasing in frequency, but still controversial. The experiences and perceptions of women, eligible for the procedure, have not been previously investigated.

This study aims to, among women waiting to undergo hysterectomy, explore i) experiences and perceptions of self and healthcare in relation to their elective surgery, ii) perceptions of risks and benefits of hysterectomy, including opportunistic salpingectomy.

Methods

A qualitative study, with focus group discussions including women < 55 years, planned for hysterectomy with ovarian preservation, was performed. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling from six gynecological departments in different parts of Sweden, including both country and university hospitals. Focus group discussions were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide, digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed by qualitative manifest and latent content analysis.

Results

Twenty-one Swedish-speaking women participated. They were 40–53 years of age, reported varying educational levels, countries of birth and indications for hysterectomy. Analysis rendered a theme “Bridging different realities” over four categories: “Being a woman today”, “Experiencing and managing body failure”, “Navigating the healthcare system” and “Processing continuously until surgery”, including 17 subcategories. The participants displayed varying attitudes towards the significance of their uterus in being a woman. A vague understanding of their body was described, leading to fear related to the reasons for surgery as well as surgery itself. Participants described difficulties understanding and recalling information but also stated that insufficient information was provided. Perceptions of the risks and benefits of opportunistic salpingectomy varied. Involvement in decisions regarding the hysterectomy and potential opportunistic salpingectomy was perceived to be dependent on the counselling gynecologist.

Conclusions

The theme Bridging different realities captures the complexity of women deciding on removal of their uterus, and possibly fallopian tubes. It also describes the women’s interactions with healthcare and perceived difference between the health professionals and the women’s perception of the situation, as viewed by the women. Bridging the different realities faced by patients is required to enable shared decision-making, through sufficient support from healthcare.

Factors Influencing Postoperative Recovery and Time Off Work of Patients with Benign Indications for Surgery - Results of a Prospective Study

Objectives The study aimed to answer a number of questions: Which medical, psychological and sociodemographic factors affect the recovery of women after gynecological surgery for benign indications? Does patients' health-related quality of life improve after surgical intervention? How long are patients signed off work postoperatively? How do patients assess their own capacity to work? Method Study population: All women between the ages of 18 and 67 years who underwent gynecological surgery for benign indications at the Charité Campus Virchow Clinic over a 7-month period were consecutively enrolled in the study. Four standardized patient surveys (the first survey [T0] was carried out in hospital, T1 at 1 week, T2 at 6 weeks and T3 at 7 - 8 months after discharge by telephone interview) were carried out using evaluated questionnaires to record patients' recovery (Recovery Index), quality of life (RAND-36), satisfaction, complications, sociodemographic information and time off work with a medical sick note. Relevant medical and demographic data were also collected. Statistical analysis was carried out using univariate statistical tests for descriptive analysis and complex multifactorial statistical procedures to record observations over time. Results A total of 182 patients were included in this study (participation rate: 70%). Relevant prior operations (p = 0.01), in-hospital (p = 0.004) and postoperative complications (p < 0.001), preoperative psychological wellbeing (p = 0.01), physical functioning (p = 0.005) and postoperative anxiety (p = 0,006) had a significant impact on recovery (Recovery Index) and changed significantly over time (p < 0.001). The invasiveness of the surgery or sociodemographic parameters (including migration background) had no significant effect. Health-related quality of life (measured with the RAND-36 questionnaire) also improved postoperatively. More invasive surgical interventions were associated with longer sick leave times and, to a certain extent, with a poorer evaluation of patients' capacity to work. Conclusion Recovery after gynecological surgery is a multifactorial process. This survey of a patient population identified psychological and physical factors which influence recovery but did not find significant sociodemographic parameters affecting recovery. Irrespective of these findings, gynecological surgery for benign indications resulted in an improvement in health-related quality of life. Prospective studies need to investigate whether psychological interventions could reduce preoperative fear and thereby improve postoperative recovery.

Development of a Personalized m/eHealth Algorithm for the Resumption of Activities of Daily Life Including Work and Sport after Total and Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty: A Multidisciplinary Delphi Study

Evidence for recommendations concerning the resumption of activities of daily life, including work and sport, after knee arthroplasty is lacking. Therefore, recommendations vary considerably between hospitals and healthcare professionals. We aimed to obtain multidisciplinary consensus for such recommendations. Using a Delphi procedure, we strived to reach consensus among a multidisciplinary expert panel of six orthopaedic surgeons, three physical therapists, five occupational physicians and one physician assistant on recommendations regarding the resumption of 27 activities of daily life. The Delphi procedure involved three online questionnaire rounds and one face-to-face consensus meeting. In each of these four rounds, experts independently decided at what time daily life activities could feasibly and safely be resumed after knee arthroplasty. We distinguished patients with a fast, average and slow recovery. After four Delphi rounds, the expert panel reached consensus for all 27 activities. For example, experts agreed that total knee arthroplasty patients with a fast recovery could resume cycling six weeks after the surgery, while those with an average and slow recovery could resume this activity after nine and twelve weeks, respectively. The consensus recommendations will subsequently be integrated into an algorithm of a personalized m/eHealth portal to enhance recovery among knee arthroplasty patients.