Evaluation of abdominal binder after major upper gastrointestinal surgery

The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of an elastic abdominal binder after open major upper abdominal surgery. In the trial, 50 patients undergoing major upper abdominal surgery were included, of which 37 were evaluated also postoperatively. The patients were randomized either to use an elastic binder during the first 5 postoperative days or to a standard treatment group. Preoperatively and postoperative days 1, 3 and 5, oxygen saturation and spirometry were investigated. The tests were performed in sitting and supine position. The patients using the binder were additionally tested without the binder. Postoperatively, treatment with oxygen and bronchodilators, signs of pulmonary complications, rate of mobilization, pain when changing position from supine to sitting and length of hospital stay were recorded. The patients who used the binder estimated the degree of comfort of the binder. Lung function deteriorated considerably postoperatively in both groups. There were no significant differences between the groups in any of the variables. The patients using the binder found it comfortable but reported liking it less at the end of the follow-up period. There is no objective clinical effect of a routine use of an elastic binder after major upper abdominal surgery. However, the majority of the patients using it found it comfortable especially during the first postoperative days.