Abdominal Binder and Steps (ABS): A Way to Improve Ambulation Post-Laparotomy in Benign GYN Surgery

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.