Abstract

Background: Wound complications and pain are major causes of morbidity after cesarean section (CS). Although medications are safe for use by mothers after CS, many females prefer non-pharmaceutical methods. An abdominal binder is a complementary therapy, commonly used post-major abdominal surgery. Objectives: There is limited evidence about the effect of abdominal binders. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an abdominal binder on wound healing and consumed pain medication. Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 178 females, who had undergone non-emergency CS at 1 of the 3 hospitals in Gonbad-e Kavus, and Golestan, northeast of Iran. In the intervention group, patients were administered abdominal binders, in addition to routine care. The binder was used for 2 days after the patient was admitted to the surgery ward. The control group received routine care. We used the demographic data questionnaire, questionnaire for cataloguing analgesic medications taken by participants (each 6 hours after CS), and Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, Approximation of wound edges (REEDA) scale for assessment of wound healing. The participants provided their written consent for participation in this study. Results: The mean (SD) age of the participants was 26.3 (5) years. Mean (SD) REEDA score was 0.4 (0.5) in the intervention group and 0.5 (0.8) in the control group. The median (quartile 25-75) REEDA score was 0 (0-1) in both groups. Mean REEDA scores did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (P = 0.724). Significant differences were observed in the approximation of wound edges in the intervention group 5 days post-CS (P = 0.007). Administered analgesic medications did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (at 6 hours in suppository, and 6 and 24 hours post-intervention in intramuscular of injection narcotics). Significantly fewer analgesic medications were administered in the intervention group when compared with the control group (P = 0.001). Satisfaction did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (P= 0.443). Conclusions: In this study, the abdominal binder was effective in pain medication consumption at some intervals. However, it had no healing effect on CS scars.

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