Bras for Breast Support After Sternotomy: Patient Satisfaction and Wear Compliance
- 1 January 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by AACN Publishing in American Journal of Critical Care
- Vol. 30 (1), 21-26
- https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2021687
Abstract
For women undergoing median sternotomy, especially those with a bra cup size C or larger, breast support can reduce pain, wound breakdown, and infection. This study addressed a gap in research, identifying the best bra after sternotomy in terms of patient satisfaction and wear compliance. To evaluate larger-breasted women’s satisfaction and compliance with wearing 3 commercially available front-closure bras—with a hook-loop closure (the hospital’s standard of care), a zipper closure, or a hook-eye closure—after cardiac surgery. This study used a posttest-only, 3-group randomized controlled design. A convenience sample of participants were sized and randomly assigned a product that was placed immediately postoperatively. Participants agreed to wear the bra at least 20 h/d until the provider cleared them for less wear. At inpatient day 5 or discharge, and at the follow-up outpatient visit, subjects completed investigator-developed surveys. Data were analyzed from 60 participants by using the χ2 test and Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance; also, patterns were identified within written comments. Participants were most satisfied with the hook-eye front-closure product before (P = .05) and after (P = .02) discharge. Participants recommended the hook-eye and zipper products over the hook-loop bra (H = 8.39, P = .02). Wear compliance was strongest in the group wearing the hook-eye bra. The hook-eye closure product had the most satisfaction and greatest wear compliance, and it received the highest recommendation. A practice change was made to fit and place the hook-eye bra in the operating room immediately after surgery.Keywords
This publication has 12 references indexed in Scilit:
- Against All Odds: Preventing Pressure Ulcers in High-Risk Cardiac Surgery PatientsCritical Care Nurse, 2015
- Pain Symptoms Accompanying Chronic Poststernotomy Pain: A Pilot StudyPain Medicine, 2010
- Precautions Related to Midline Sternotomy in Cardiac Surgery: A Review of Mechanical Stress Factors Leading to Sternal ComplicationsEuropean Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 2010
- Women's Recovery from Sternotomy-Extension (WREST-E) study: examining long-term pain and discomfort following sternotomy and their predictorsHeart, 2007
- A randomized controlled trial of women's early use of a novel undergarment following sternotomy: The Women's Recovery from Sternotomy Trial (WREST)American Heart Journal, 2006
- Introducing the Cardibra: A Randomised Pilot Study of a Purpose Designed Support Bra for Women Having Cardiac SurgeryEuropean Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 2005
- Sternal instability following coronary artery bypass graftingPhysiotherapy Theory and Practice, 2000
- A comparison of women's and men's symptoms during home recovery after coronary artery bypass surgeryHeart & Lung, 1995
- Breast Size as a Risk Factor for Sternal Wound Complications Following Cardiac SurgeryArchives of Surgery, 1994
- Macromastia as a Factor in Sternal Wound Dehiscence Following Cardiac Surgery: Management Combining Chest Wall Reconstruction and Reduction MammoplastyJournal of Cardiac Surgery, 1992