Elastic Abdominal Binders Reduce Cesarean Pain Postoperatively

A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

Abstract

Introduction. A potential non-pharmacologic way to reduce postoperative
pain and bleeding is using an abdominal binder during
postoperative recovery. This study aims to determine the effect an
elastic abdominal binder has on postoperative pain and hemorrhage
after cesarean delivery.

Methods. A randomized, single-site, pilot trial was conducted at two
prenatal care clinics and an academic hospital in Kansas. Beginning
in April 2013, 60 patients were enrolled if delivering via cesarean.
Participants were randomized to receive an abdominal binder or to a
control group (did not use binder). Pain levels were reported by questionnaire
one day after surgery using a 0 to 10 scale, with 10 being the
worst pain. Patient characteristics and blood loss were assessed by
medical record review.

Results. Of the 56 patients completing the study, 29 (51.8%) were
randomized to the binder group and 27 (48.2%) were randomized
to the control group. The binder group reported significantly lower
pain score (p = 0.019) and average pain score (p = 0.024). There was
no difference in body mass index, age, previous surgery, infant birth
weight, estimated blood loss, and average dose of pain medication
during the first 24 hours after the cesarean delivery between the two
groups. There was no difference in pre- and post-operative hemoglobin
levels by treatment group (p = 0.406).

Conclusions. Abdominal binders may be associated with improved
postoperative pain scores but did not affect postoperative hemorrhage.
Kans J Med 2018;11(2):48-53.