Sports rehabilitation after laparoscopic hernioplasty

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The development of minimally invasive procedures and analgesic drug evolution has contributed to reduce the rest period after inguinal hernia repair; nevertheless, there is still no scientific evidence to establish optimal postsurgery rest time and sequence for resuming activity until reaching full performance. Early and controlled rehabilitation by physical therapists has proven beneficial in postsurgery for athlete groups, although no publications are available on experiences in nonathlete patients.OBJETIVE: The aim was to analyze the results of a rehabilitation program applied to post-transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) hernioplasty in non-athletic patients.PATIENTS AND METHODS: The first 1,000 nonathlete patients who performed the postoperative sports rehabilitation plan from January 2012 to December 2016. We used TAPP laparoscopic hernioplasty. Postsurgery exercise program guided by objectives and supervised by physical therapists in four growing-intensity phases. Postsurgery complications, hernia recurrence, pain intensity (numeric scale) while exercising at 2 and 10 days after surgery; start time and duration for the first phase in the rehabilitation plan; and timing of return to work were evaluated.RESULTS: The objectives of the first phase were reached by 92% of the patients on the 7th day. Work activities started in 97% of the patients before the 5th day.CONCLUSIONS: Application of a sports rehabilitation program does not increase the recurrence rate nor complications and may speed up the return to full physical activity in nonathletic patients.