Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Abdominal binders after laparotomy: review of the literature and French survey of policies

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Hernia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background and aim

The use of abdominal binders after laparotomy is a question of habit. Scientific evidence of their usefulness is limited. The aims of this work were to review the scientific literature and to depict the practices of French surgeons regarding the use of these devices.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature about the use of abdominal binders after laparotomy was conducted. In order to depict surgeons’ habits, an anonymous questionnaire was sent to all surgical departments affiliated to the FRENCH network (Federation of Surgical Research) and their surgical contacts. They were all asked about their use of binders, the type of binders they ordered, the expected benefit, the cost and the need for a randomized trial in this field.

Results

Only four trials have been published regarding the use of abdominal binders after laparotomy, all with a small number of patients. Some authors suggested that wearing binders procured a benefit in terms of postoperative comfort, but no significant difference was found. One study also suggested an improvement in respiratory volumes. No study focused on incisional hernia. Regarding the survey of practices, 50 questionnaires were retained for the final analysis (one questionnaire per department of surgery). The use of this device is really very frequent in France (94 % of surgeons order them), a habit usually acquired during the training in surgery. The main expected benefit is the prevention of abdominal wall dehiscence (83 %), but also an improvement in patients’ postoperative comfort and pain (66 %). Although some surgeons order an abdominal binder for all their patients, most use them in selected patients (according to the operation and the patients’ characteristics).

Conclusion

Abdominal binders are frequently ordered by French surgeons after laparotomy. The expected benefit is the prevention of abdominal-wall complications, even though no data actually support this practice. Binders might have a benefit in terms of postoperative pain relief, but this needs to be analyzed. A prospective randomized trial is warranted.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Tejwani NC, Immerman I (2008) Myths and legends in orthopaedic practice: are we all guilty? Clin Orthop Relat Res 466:2861–2872

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Jenkins TR (2003) It’s time to challenge surgical dogma with evidence-based data. Am J Obstet Gynecol 189:423–427

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Schuld J, Slotta JE, Schuld S et al (2011) Popular belief meets surgical reality: impact of lunar phases, Friday the 13th and zodiac signs on emergency operations and intraoperative blood loss. World J Surg 35:1945–1949

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Warren J, Bhalla V, Cresci G (2011) Postoperative diet advancement: surgical dogma vs evidence-based medicine. Nutr Clin Pract 26:115–125

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Van den Baar MT, Van der Palen J, Vroon MI et al (2010) Is time to closure a factor in the occurrence of infection in traumatic wounds? a prospective cohort study in a Dutch level 1 trauma centre. Emerg Med J 27:540–543

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Güenaga KF, Matos D, Wille-Jørgensen P (2011) Mechanical bowel preparation for elective colorectal surgery. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 9:CD001544

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Le Huu Nho R, Mege D, Ouaïssi M et al (2012) Incidence and prevention of ventral incisional hernia. J Visc Surg 149:S3–S15

    Google Scholar 

  8. Fink C, Baumann P, Wente MN et al (2014) Incisional hernia rate 3 years after midline laparotomy. Br J Surg 101:51–54

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Rodríguez-Hermosa JI, Codina-Cazador A, Ruiz B et al (2005) Risk factors for acute abdominal wall dehiscence after laparotomy in adults. Cir Esp 77:280–286

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Ali J, Serrette C, Khan TA (1983) The effect of abdominal binders on postoperative pulmonary function. Infect. in Surg 2:875–881

    Google Scholar 

  11. Fagevik Olsén M, Josefson K, Wiklund M (2009) Evaluation of abdominal binder after major upper gastrointestinal surgery. Adv. in Physiother 11:104–110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Hansdottir V, Philip J, Olsen MF et al (2006) Thoracic epidural versus intravenous patient-controlled analgesia after cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial on length of hospital stay and patient-perceived quality of recovery. Anesthesiology 104:142–151

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Larson CM, Ratzer ER, Davis-Merritt D et al (2009) The effect of abdominal binders on postoperative pulmonary function. Am Surg 75:169–171

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Cheifetz O, Deborah Lucy S, Overend TS et al (2010) The effect of abdominal support on functional outcomes in patients following major abdominal surgery: a randomized controlled trial. Physiother Can 62:242–253

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Melzack R (1987) The short-form McGill pain questionnaire. Pain 30:191–197

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Hall AB, Northern D (2012) Effect of abdominal binders on pulmonary mechanics with implications for the military surgical population. J Surg Educ 69:34–36

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Goldman JM, Rose LS, Williams SJ et al (1986) Effect of abdominal binders on breathing in tetraplegic patients. Thorax 41:940–945

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Wadsworth BM, Haines TP, Cornwell PL, Paratz JK (2009) Abdominal binder use in people with spinal cord injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Spinal Cord 47:274–285

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Sklar FH, Nagy L, Robertson BD (2012) The use of abdominal binders to treat over-shunting headaches. J Neurosurg Pediatr 9:615–620

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Huang GJ, Bajaj AK, Gupta S et al (2007) Increased intraabdominal pressure in abdominoplasty: delineation of risk factors. Plast Reconstr Surg 119:1319–1325

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank all those who returned completed questionnaires and are grateful for the support provided by the administration of the FRENCH, the AFC and the Société Française de Chirurgie Digestive (SFCD). We are indebted to the pharmacists Frederic André Proux, Audrey Augrandjean and Marie-Pierre Guenfoudi for the information on the devices available on the market, their cost and the modalities of reimbursement, and to Mr Philip Bastable for his English review.

Conflict of interest

AB, PR, FDC, FB, FL, CM and POD declare no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Digestive Surgical Oncology, University Hospital “Bocage Central”, Dijon, France

    A. Bouvier, P. Rat, F. Drissi-Chbihi & P. Ortega-Deballon

  2. Platform of Quality of Life Methods, University Hospital “Jean Minjoz”, Besançon, France

    F. Bonnetain

  3. Department of General and Digestive Surgery, Tenon Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France

    F. Lacaine

  4. Department of General and Digestive Surgery, University Hospital “Claude Huriez”, Lille, France

    C. Mariette

Authors
  1. A. Bouvier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. Rat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. F. Drissi-Chbihi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. F. Bonnetain
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. F. Lacaine
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. C. Mariette
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. P. Ortega-Deballon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Consortia

Pour La Federation de Recherche en Chirurgie (FRENCH)

Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. Ortega-Deballon.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Bouvier, A., Rat, P., Drissi-Chbihi, F. et al. Abdominal binders after laparotomy: review of the literature and French survey of policies. Hernia 18, 501–506 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10029-014-1264-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10029-014-1264-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation