Volume Incentive Spirometry Reduces Pulmonary Complications in Patients After Open Abdominal Surgery: A Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Anesthesiology
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Postoperative pulmonary complications are a significant concern following open abdominal surgery.
• Early pulmonary rehabilitation exercises are crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of diaphragmatic breathing versus volume incentive spirometry (VIS) in enhancing hemodynamics, pulmonary function, and blood gas parameters in patients undergoing open abdominal surgery.
• To determine the optimal respiratory exercise for mitigating postoperative pulmonary complications.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 58 patients undergoing open abdominal surgery.
• Patients were assigned to either diaphragmatic breathing (control) or VIS exercises.
• Hemodynamic, pulmonary function, and blood gas indexes were measured preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 3, and 5.

Main Results:

• Volume incentive spirometry (VIS) group showed significantly higher SpO2 levels on postoperative days 3 and 5 compared to the control group.
• Pulmonary function tests, including peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and forced vital capacity (FVC), were significantly improved in the VIS group postoperatively.
• VIS group exhibited significantly higher base excess (BE) and pH values on postoperative day 1.

Conclusions:

• Both diaphragmatic breathing and VIS can enhance postoperative pulmonary function.
• Volume incentive spirometry (VIS) appears to be a more effective intervention for improving hemodynamics, pulmonary function, and blood gas status in patients after open abdominal surgery.
• VIS may lead to a reduced incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications.