The effectiveness of an early ambulation device for children post-abdominal or spinal fusion surgery: A quasi-experimental comparative interventional study.

BACKGROUND

Early ambulation following surgery is essential for recovery, yet children undergoing surgery often face barriers due to multiple lines and medical equipment.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental design was used to compare children who received the early ambulation device with a retrospective surgical-condition-stratified comparison group. Outcomes included length of stay, time to first ambulation, and daily average ambulation.

RESULTS

Results showed several significant improvements in the experimental group versus the comparison group. Among children in the abdominal surgery cohort, the experimental group had a greater total ambulation (15.0 vs. 12.0, p = 0.023) and higher daily ambulation frequency (5.5 vs. 2.5, p < 0.001); and length of stay trended shorter in the experimental group but did not reach statistical significance (3.0 vs. 3.8 days, p = 0.060). Children in the spinal fusion cohort also experienced benefits, including a shorter length of stay (3.9 vs. 4.7 days, p = 0.001), earlier ambulation (18.7 vs. 39.7 h, p < 0.001), and a greater frequency of ambulation (20.5 vs. 15.0, p < 0.001). Improvements were most pronounced in the early to mid-postoperative period.

CONCLUSION

This study provides the first evidence of early ambulation device use in a pediatric surgical population. The device was associated with earlier mobilization, more frequent ambulation, and reduced hospital length of stay in the spinal fusion cohort, with a trend toward reduced length of stay in the abdominal cohort. Advantages of utilizing the early ambulation device include cost savings for families and the organization, as well as increased independence when ambulating.