Egyptian Journal of Chest Disease and Tuberculosis (Oct 2017)
Effect of preoperative physical and respiratory therapy on postoperative pulmonary functions and complications after laparoscopic upper abdominal surgery in obese patients
Abstract
Aim of the study: To investigate the effects of preoperative physical and respiratory therapy on pulmonary functions and complications after elective laparoscopic upper abdominal surgery in obese patients. Methodology: Patients were randomly assigned to receive respiratory and general exercise for 2 weeks before operation (group I; n = 26) two physical and specialized respiratory therapy sessions per week (each one 40 min) in comparison to non-engaged group in any exercise (group II; n = 24) Pulmonary functions outcome variables including slow vital capacity(SVC), inspiratory capacity(IC), maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP and MEP and 6-min walk test were recorded as a baseline, after two weeks of exercise day two, five and one month post-operative. Any postoperative pulmonary complications were recorded. Results: There were statistically significant difference between groups, patients in the intervention group (group I) had higher pulmonary function in all parameters than (group II) P < .05) in all the post-operative periods. Postoperative pulmonary complications occurred in 15 patients (62%) in the control group (group II) and in 7 patients (27%) in the intervention group (group I) (P < .05). Conclusion: Preoperative physical and respiratory therapy improved pulmonary functions and decreased the incidence of post-operative pulmonary complications in obese patients undergoing to laparoscopic upper abdominal surgery.
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