The Effect of Different Physiotherapy Methods Applied After Gynecological Abdominal Surgery on Postoperative Symptoms

Gynecological pelvic surgeries refer to procedures performed in the pelvic region of women. These surgeries include procedures such as myomectomy, hysterectomy, and the removal of ovarian cysts. Surgical procedures can be performed through abdominal or vaginal routes.

Various complications may occur during or after surgical operations . In the postoperative period, complaints such as pain, decreased bowel motility (e.g., paralytic ileus) , gastrointestinal problems, nausea and vomiting, and pneumonia may occur . At the same time, the occurrence of these complaints may also lead to a decrease in the patient's level of mobility .

There are different treatment approaches for symptoms that occur in the postoperative period. In particular, pain is among the primary complaints of patients. This acute pain may lead to chronic pain and the analgesic agents used may cause side effects such as sedation, nausea, and ileus .

Physiotherapy and rehabilitation practices for gastrointestinal problems and pain in the postoperative period include applications such as breathing exercises, mobilization, and connective tissue massage .

In a study by Zia and colleagues on the effectiveness of early physiotherapy applications, cases who underwent abdominal hysterectomy were divided into two groups as control and experimental. The experimental group received a comprehensive physiotherapy rehabilitation plan including patient education, breathing exercises, early mobilization, connective tissue manipulation, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), while the control group only performed walking (ambulation). It was shown that participants in the experimental group had a faster time to first gas passage and a higher rate of defecation within the first 3 days compared to the control group. As a result of the study, it is stated that early postoperative intervention has the potential to accelerate the recovery process .

In another study, the effect of kinesio taping and breathing exercises on pain in cases undergoing gynecological abdominal surgery was examined. The researchers divided the participants into four groups: kinesio taping, breathing exercises, kinesio taping with breathing exercises, and control group, and conducted interventions for 3 days postoperatively. Time to gas passage and defecation times were evaluated, and kinesio taping was found to be the group with the best improvement in pain and the earliest gas passage time. The group that received kinesio taping and breathing exercises also showed shorter gas passage times. As a result, kinesio taping and kinesio taping with breathing exercises can be used as non-invasive methods in the postoperative period .

Recently, the vagal stimulation technique has come to the forefront among applications for pain relief . This method has also been used in individuals with complaints of constipation . Stimulation of the vagus nerve can be provided through invasive and non-invasive methods.

In a study conducted by Shi and colleagues in 2021, 42 patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome were divided into two groups and received auricular vagal stimulation and sham vagal stimulation treatments. In this study, which examined constipation and abdominal pain, positive results such as increased bowel motility and reduced pain were obtained after 4 weeks .

In another study involving patients with chronic low back pain, 60 patients were divided into two groups to receive either conventional rehabilitation and home exercises or transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation and home exercises. At the end of the 3-week treatment program, intra-group evaluation results showed positive effects on mobility, functional status, depression, and sleep in all groups .

This study is planned to evaluate the effectiveness of physiotherapy during the hospitalization period after gynecological abdominal surgery and to examine the effects of different approaches on postoperative symptoms.

Inclusion criteria

• Being 18 years of age or older
• Having undergone surgery due to a gynecological condition
• Having undergone one of the following operations: hysterectomy, hysterectomy + oophorectomy, or hysterectomy + salpingo-oophorectomy
• Having undergone abdominal surgery

Exclusion criteria

• Development of any complications during or after surgery
• Presence of active malignancy
• Presence of severe organ failure
• Presence of uncontrolled cardiac or other systemic disorders
• Presence of neurological or cognitive diseases