Building the evidence base for postoperative and postpartum advice.
Abstract
Recommendations for activity after obstetric and gynecologic procedures remain based on tradition and anecdote. After reviewing the current evidence base, guidelines, and practice for postdischarge instructions related to physical activity after the most common obstetric and gynecologic surgical procedures, we conclude that the available data do not support many of the recommendations currently provided. Restrictions on lifting and climbing stairs should likely be abandoned. Guidance on driving should focus on the concern regarding cognitive function and analgesics rather than concerns of wound separation/dehiscence. Given the impact of these recommendations on daily life events, consistent, evidence-based advice on when and how women can safely resume exercise, driving, working, and sexual intercourse is critical. The evidence base informing advice for most of these issues is minimal; we need prospective, well-designed studies to help guide us and our patients.
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Restrictions on postoperative activity following pelvic organ prolapse surgery are not evidence based.
“Restrictions on postoperative activity following pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery are not evidence based.”
From Standard Restrictions vs Expedited Activity After Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery (2023) · cites this paper as [1]
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(2020) · Obstetrics & Gynecology · doi:10.1097/aog.0000000000003772 · Cited by 822 · see citing works
Standard Restrictions vs Expedited Activity After Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery
O’Shea, M., Siddiqui, N. Y., Truong, T., Erkanli, A., & Barber, M. D. (2023) · JAMA Surgery · doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2023.1649 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
- Authors
- Minig, L., Trimble, E. L., Sarsotti, C., Sebastiani, M. M., & Spong, C. Y.
- Affiliations
- United States Department of Health and Human Services (US)
- National Institutes of Health (US)
- Venue
- Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Published
- 2009-10
- Volume
- 114
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 892-900
- ISSN
- 0029-7844 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1969011744
- Cited by
- 47
- References
- 57
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 2.70
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Obstetrics and Gynecology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Enhanced Recovery After Surgery
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Clinical practice guidelines implementation
- Keywords
- postoperative physical activity, postpartum exercise, postoperative care, obstetric surgery, gynecologic surgery, lifting restrictions, stair climbing, cognitive function, analgesics, wound dehiscence, resumption of sexual intercourse, return to work, evidence base
- MeSH terms
- Automobile Driving, Convalescence, Female, Humans, Patient Education as Topic, Postoperative Complications, Pregnancy, Sexual Behavior, Gynecologic Surgical Procedures, Exercise, Practice Guidelines as Topic, Postpartum Period
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