Impact of Core Muscle Training on Incisional Hernia and Pain After Abdominal Surgery
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
The current practice to avoid incisional hernia, one of the most frequent complications following abdominal surgery, is to minimize core muscle activity in the postoperative phase. However, there is no evidence to support the association of core muscle activity and increased incidence of incisional hernia. On the contrary, it is likely that reduced physical activity could lead to physical deconditioning, chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP), and sarcopenia. The investigators will conduct a prospective multicentric randomized clinical trial to compare standard of care to core muscle exercises targeting the abdominal muscles immediately postsurgery. The principle hypothesis is that neither specific exercises of core muscles before and after surgery nor physical restriction alter the incidence of incisional hernias. Secondly the impact of postoperative rehabilitation on CPSP and sarcopenia will be assessed.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. At the University Hospital of Bern, Kantonsspital Solothurn and Olten and BundeswehrZentralkrankenhaus Koblenz: * Informed Consent as documented by signature (Appendix Informed Consent Form) * Age \> 18 years * Capable of judgment * Undergoing elective or emergency abdominal surgery * Laparoscopic or open surgery, midline or transverse incision 2. At the University Hospital of Lausanne: * Informed Consent as documented by signature (Appendix Informed Consent Form) * Age \> 18 years * Capable of judgment * Undergoing elective open abdominal surgery * Midline or transverse incision Exclusion criteria (in all four participating centres): * Inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g. due to language problems, psychological disorders (chronic depression, under antidepressants or neuroleptics), dementia, etc. of the participant * Enrolment of the investigator, his/her family members, employees and other dependent persons * Neuromuscular diseases (such as myas