A randomized trial of a novel undergarment for women’s use following sternotomy
Background
- splinting is a common strategy used to assist post-op patients move
- clinicians often suggest that women use a supportive and comfortable brassiere post-operatively to reduce tension on incision—thereby reducing pain and discomfort a foundation for this practice
- recommendation is based largely on clinical experience
- empirical—clinical trial—evidence had not been offered as a foundation for this practice
Primary Objective
To examine the effect of wearing a novel undergarment during the early post-sternotomyperiod on incision and breast pain and discomfort, as well as return to function
Secondary Objective
To monitor the safety of using the undergarment in the early post-sternotomy period.
Investigators
Peter Faris, Kathryn King, Ross Tsuyuki, Gillian Currie, Andrew Maitland, Ruth Collins-Nakai
Methods
- Intervention
- measured by site RAs pre-operatively for size
- donned as soon as clinically stable
- asked to wear undergarment as much as comfortable to do so
- Usual Care
- no ‘standard’
- women are often encouraged to bring own brassiere post-op; (donned approximately 2-3 daysused as desired)
- no binding of breasts was permitted
- Outcomes (over 12-weeks post-sternotomy)
- incision pain and discomfort* (numeric rating scales)
- breast pain and discomfort* (numeric rating scales)
- analgesic use
- functional status (Health Assessment Questionnaire)
- sternalwound healing
- antibiotic use
- analgesic use
Publications:
King, K.M., et al. (2006). A randomized controlled trial of women’s early use of a novel undergarment following sternotomy: The Women’s Recovery from Sternotomy Trial (WREST). Am Heart J, 152, 1187-93. (link)
King, K.M., et al. (2008). A descriptive examination of the impact of sternal scar formation in women. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. (link)
King, K.M., et al. (2008). Women’s Recovery from Sternotomy-Extension (WREST-E) study: examining long-term pain and discomfort following sternotomy and their predictors. Am Heart J, 94, 493-497. (link)
King, K.M., et al. (2009). A descriptive examination of the impact of sternal scar formation in women. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 8, 112–118. (link)
Findings and Summary: (pdf)