Table 2. Overview of the studies included in the literature review concerning recommendations for avoiding physical exertion and staying away from work after abdominal surgery.
| Authors | Country | Year | Quality of study | Type of operation or procedure | Recommended time to avoid exertion | Recommended time away from work |
| Paasch C, Anders M, Strick W (e10) | DE | 2018 | Expert survey | Open incisional hernia repair | 4 weeks | No information |
| Dietz UA et al. (3) | DE | 2018 | Selective literature reviewExpert opinion | Laparoscopic and open incisional hernia repair | 3–6 weeks, then adapted to pain; shorter after laparoscopy | No information |
| Pommergaard HC, et al. (38) | SWE | 2014 | Expert survey | Laparoscopic colectomy Open colectomy |
0–6 weeks 0–6 weeks |
No information |
| van Vliet, DCR, et al (e3) | NL | 2016 | Expert consensus (Delphi method) |
Open hernia operation Laparoscopic cholecystectomy Laparoscopic appendectomy Open appendectomy Laparoscopic colectomy Open colectomy |
1 week 1–2 weeks 1–2 weeks 1–2 weeks 3–4 weeks 4 weeks |
2 weeks 2 weeks 2 weeks 2 weeks 6 weeks 8 weeks |
| Callesen T, et al. (e9) | DAN | 1998 | Expert opinion | Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 48 h | 1 week |
| Oikkonen M, et al. (e11) | FIN | 2001 | Expert opinion Patient survey |
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | Individualized | Individualized |
| Bisgaard T (e12) | DAN | 2005 | Expert opinion | Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | 1 week | 1 week |
| Royal College of Surgeons (9) | UK | 2019 | Expert opinion | Laparoscopic cholecystectomy Inguinal hernia repair |
7–13 days Light physical work: 1 –2 weeks Mild lifting: 2 – 3 weeks Heavy physical labor: 6 weeks |
10–14 days Light physical work: 1 –2 weeks Mild lifting: 2 – 3 weeks Heavy physical labor: 6 weeks |
| Buhck H, Untied M, Bechstein WO (5) | DE | 2012 | Systematic review | Inguinal hernia repair | Until the wound is healed | Depending on pain, after wound healing |
| Tolver MA, et al. (6) | DAN | 2016 | Systematic review | Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair | 1–2 days | No information |
| Grewal P (e13) | UK | 2014 | Expert survey Insurance survey |
Inguinal hernia repair | 1–12 weeks | 1–12 weeks |
| Bouwsma EVA, et al. (e14) | NL | 2017 | Prospective cohort study | Laparoscopic gynecological operations | Individualized | Individualized |
| Deffieux X, et al. (e15) | FRA | 2011 | Expert survey | Laparoscopic sacral colopexy | 4 weeks | 4 weeks |
| Moller CM, et al. (7) | NL | 2001 | Expert survey | Open hysterectomy | 2–12 weeks | 1–12 weeks |
| Vonk Noordegraaf A, et al. (e16) | NL | 2011 | Expert consensus (Delphi method) |
Laparoscopic adnexal procedures and hysterectomies Open hysterectomies |
2 weeks 3 weeks 6 weeks |
2 weeks 3–4 weeks 6 weeks |
| Clayton M, Verow P (8) | UK | 2007 | Expert survey | Open hysterectomies | 2–12 weeks | 2–12 weeks |