Does the Difference in Fascial Closure Technique Affect Postoperative Pain?

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare postoperative incisional pain on postoperative days (PODs) 1 and 14 when using a fascial closure device (FCD) versus a traditional fascial closure (TFC) of the 12-mm upper quadrant port during robotic surgery. Time required to close the incision was also compared.

DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial (Canadian Task Force classification I).

SETTING: Two academic affiliated hospitals, The Hospital of Central Connecticut and The University of Connecticut.

PATIENTS: Women undergoing robotic surgery for benign indications by minimally invasive gynecologists at our institutions between November 2012 and October 2014 were enrolled in the study at their preoperative visit.

INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to either an FCD or TFC immediately before closure of the fascial incision. Pain score using a 10-point analog pain scale was recorded on POD 1 and POD 14. Time to close the fascial incision, length of surgery, and body mass index were also recorded.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients were enrolled, and 65 were randomized at the time of the fascial closure, whereas 2 enrolled patients converted to laparotomy. Statistical analysis demonstrated that pain scores differed by fascial closure technique. Mean pain scores on POD 1 were 3.43 ± 2.48 and 2.06 ± 2.03 for the FCD and TFC, respectively (p = .028). On POD 14 the mean pain scores were 1.97 ± 2.48 and .83 ± 1.42 for the FCD and TFC, respectively (p = .102). Times to close fascia were 106.5 ± 102.28 seconds and 141.97 ± 102.85 seconds for the FCD and TFC, respectively (p = .138).

CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that at POD 1 the use of the fascia closure device results in higher pain scores without a significant difference in closure time.