The impact of orthostatic intolerance on early ambulation following abdominal surgery in an enhanced recovery programme.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of orthostatic intolerance on the day of surgery is more than 50% after abdominal surgery. The impact of orthostatic intolerance on ambulation on the day of surgery has been little studied. We investigated orthostatic intolerance and walking ability after colorectal and bariatric surgery in an enhanced recovery programme. METHODS: Eighty-two patients (colorectal: n = 46, bariatric n = 36) were included and analysed in this prospective study. Walk tests for 2 min (2-MWT) and 6 min (6-MWT) were performed before and 24 h after surgery, and 3 h after surgery for 2-MWT. Orthostatic intolerance characterised by presyncopal symptoms when rising was recorded at the same time points. Multivariate binary logistic regressions modelling the probability of orthostatic intolerance and walking inability were performed taking into account potential risk factors. RESULTS: Prevalence of orthostatic intolerance and walking inability was, respectively, 65% and 18% 3-hour after surgery. The day after surgery, patients' performance had greatly improved: approximately 20% of the patients experienced orthostatic intolerance, whilst only 5% of the patients were unable to walk. Adjusted binary logistic regressions demonstrated that age (p = .37), sex (p = .39), BMI (p = .74), duration of anaesthesia (p = .71) and type of surgery (p = .71) did not significantly influence walking ability. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms that orthostatic intolerance was frequent (~ 60%) 3-hour after abdominal surgery but prevented a 2-MWT only in ~20% of patients. No risk factors for orthostatic intolerance and walking inability were evidenced.

Prevalence, characteristics and risk factors of chronic postsurgical pain after laparoscopic colorectal surgery: Retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) is a critical medical problem with economic implications. Its prevalence after gastrointestinal surgery is not well documented, particularly when a laparoscopic approach is used. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence, the characteristics and the risk factors for CPSP after laparoscopic colorectal surgery. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis using a postal questionnaire. SETTING: The study was conducted at a university teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal surgery from April 2008 until December 2011 (n = 260). No epidural analgesia was used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative pain intensity, incidence and characteristics of CPSP, and impact on quality of life and sleep. RESULTS: Of 199 responses, 33 patients (17%) reported chronic pain at a median [interquartile range, IQR] of 38 [27 to 55] months after laparoscopic surgery with a median intensity of 4 [3 to 5]. CPSP had a negative impact on the quality of life in 84% of patients and on sleep in 43%. CPSP required regular analgesic(s) intake in 54% patients. Using a backward stepwise multivariate logistic regression model, the following variables were determined as independent risk factors for CPSP: redo surgery for anastomotic leakage (P = 0.01), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as the indication for surgery (P = 0.01) and preoperative pain (P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: The incidence of CPSP after laparoscopic colorectal surgery (17%) is similar to those reported in the literature after laparotomy. Risk factors are redo surgery for postoperative peritonitis, IBD and preoperative pain. TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudraCT 2012-005712-25.