title: Intraabdominal pressure changes associated with lifting: implications for postoperative activity restrictions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to describe the effect of the lifting maneuver and the quantity of weight lifted on the generation of intraabdominal pressure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-one women who underwent urodynamic evaluation performed 4 lifting maneuvers, each while lifting 0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 15 kg. The lifting maneuvers were routine activities that included squatting with and without assistance, lifting from a counter, and receiving weight. Pressure was recorded with a rectal microtip catheter. Each lift was performed twice, and the average pressure change was analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When controlled for potential confounding variables, repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed a significant interaction between lift weight and lift maneuver (P < .001). Squatting was associated with generation of higher intraabdominal pressure than lifting from a counter or receiving weights into outstretched arms (P < .001). Lifting > or = 2.5 kg resulted in significant changes in intraabdominal pressure, regardless of lift maneuver (P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both the lifting maneuver and the quantity of weight should be considered when counseling patients regarding postoperative lifting.
authors: Division of Women's Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA. gerten@uab.edu
authors: Kimberly A
authors: KA
authors: Gerten
authors: Holly E
authors: HE
authors: Richter
authors: Thomas L
authors: TL
authors: Wheeler
authors: Lisa S
authors: LS
authors: Pair
authors: Kathryn L
authors: KL
authors: Burgio
authors: David T
authors: DT
authors: Redden
authors: R Edward
authors: RE
authors: Varner
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Hibner
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017770:Lifting; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011312:Pressure