RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Cough impairment is often described as part of the pathophysiological basis of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). However, there have been few studies examining cough effectiveness and its relationship with PPCs following open upper abdominal surgery. The goal of this study was to estimate (1) changes in cough efficacy after upper abdominal surgery through the assessment of peak cough flow and (2) the extent to which cough impairment is associated with postoperative pain, FVC, and risk of PPCs. METHODS: This prospective cohort study assessed 101 subjects (45% male, 56 ± 16 y old) admitted for elective upper abdominal surgery. Measurements of peak cough flow and FVC were performed on the day before surgery and repeated on postoperative days 1, 3, and 5. PPCs were assessed daily by a pulmonologist blinded to the cough measurement results. RESULTS: Peak cough flow dropped to 54% of the preoperative value on postoperative day 1 and gradually increased on postoperative days 3 (65%) and 5 (72%) (P < .05). On all postoperative days, peak cough flow was strongly correlated with FVC (P < .001) and weakly correlated with pain (P = .006). Six subjects (6%) developed PPCs. The association between peak cough flow and risk of PPCs was not statistically significant (unadjusted odds ratio of 0.80, 95% CI 0.45-1.40, P = .44; adjusted odds ratio of 0.66, 95% CI 0.32-1.38, P = .41). CONCLUSIONS: Cough effectiveness is impaired after upper abdominal surgery. Postoperative restrictive lung dysfunction seems to be associated with this impairment. There is no significant association between peak cough flow and PPCs; however, cough impairment might result in clinically important consequences in a high-risk population.
Assuntos
Abdome/cirurgia , Tosse/fisiopatologia , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos do Sistema Digestório/efeitos adversos , Pneumopatias/epidemiologia , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/epidemiologia , Adulto , Idoso , Estudos de Coortes , Tosse/etiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Pneumopatias/etiologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Razão de Chances , Pico do Fluxo Expiratório , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/etiologia , Estudos Prospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Capacidade VitalRESUMO
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Field exercise tests have been increasingly used for pulmonary risk assessment. The 6-min walking distance (6MWD) is a field test commonly employed in clinical practice; however, there is limited evidence supporting its use as a risk assessment method in abdominal surgery. The aim was to assess if the 6MWD can predict the development of post-operative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in patients having upper abdominal surgery (UAS). METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 137 consecutive subjects undergoing elective UAS. Subjects performed the 6MWD on the day prior to surgery, and their performance were compared with predicted values of 6MWD (p6MWD) using a previously validated formula. PPCs (including pneumonia, tracheobronchitis, atelectasis with clinical repercussions, bronchospasm and acute respiratory failure) were assessed daily by a pulmonologist blinded to the 6MWD results. 6MWD and p6MWD were compared between subjects who developed PPC (PPC group) and those who did not (no PPC group) using Student's t-test. RESULTS: Ten subjects experienced PPC (7.2%) and no significant difference was observed between the 6MWD obtained in the PPC group and no PPC group (466.0 ± 97.0 m vs. 485.3 ± 107.1 m; P = 0.57, respectively). There was also no significant difference observed between groups for the p6MWD (100.7 ± 29.1% vs. 90.6 ± 20.9%; P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that the 6-min walking test is not a useful tool to identify subjects with increased risk of developing PPC following UAS.
Assuntos
Abdome/cirurgia , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos do Sistema Digestório/efeitos adversos , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Eletivos/efeitos adversos , Teste de Esforço/métodos , Pneumopatias/etiologia , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/epidemiologia , Cuidados Pré-Operatórios/métodos , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Feminino , Humanos , Incidência , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prevalência , Estudos Prospectivos , CaminhadaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The use of breathing exercises with positive-pressure devices during hospitalization aims to prevent the development of nosocomial pulmonary complications or to facilitate recovery from pulmonary conditions already present. Although this type of intervention has potential benefits and theoretical advantages over more conventional respiratory physiotherapy techniques, the literature on the effects of breathing exercises with positive-pressure is controversial and inconsistent. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the extension of the use of breathing exercises with positive-pressure devices by physiotherapists in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A list of hospitals located in the city of São Paulo was obtained through the Municipal Secretary of Health. Physiotherapists at 43 hospitals were surveyed about their use of exercises with positive-pressure devices in: patients after abdominal, thoracic, and cardiac surgery; patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; patients with pneumonia; and patients with neuromuscular disease. RESULTS: 120 physiotherapists responded to the questionnaire. All the respondents used breathing exercises with positive-pressure devices in their clinical practice, with all types of patients addressed in the questionnaire. The devices most frequently used were continuous positive airway pressure (78%) and intermittent positive-pressure breathing (73%). The most frequently cited indications for positive-pressure breathing exercises were atelectasis and oxygenation impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a lack of evidence of benefit from breathing exercises with positive-pressure in the hospital setting, this type of intervention is used extensively in clinical practice for a wide variety of patients and conditions.
Assuntos
Respiração com Pressão Positiva/estatística & dados numéricos , Terapia Respiratória/métodos , Brasil , Pesquisas sobre Atenção à Saúde , Hospitalização , Humanos , Respiração com Pressão Positiva/instrumentação , Terapia Respiratória/instrumentaçãoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Directed cough maneuvers are often included in physiotherapy management aimed at preventing postoperative pulmonary complications after open heart surgery, but there is little scientific evidence of the effectiveness of directed cough maneuvers. METHODS: We conducted a randomized intra-subject crossover trial to evaluate the effect of thoracic support (patient holds his or her hands over the incision) and maximal inspiration on cough peak expiratory flow (CPEF), cough expiratory volume (CEV), and incision pain during cough in the early period after open heart surgery. Cough evaluation was undertaken on the first and second morning after surgery. On both measurement days the subject did a baseline cough (baseline cough 1) then, in a random sequence, performed 3 cough conditions: an additional baseline cough (baseline cough 2), supported cough, and supported cough preceded by maximal inspiration. In these test conditions a P < .008 was deemed to indicate a statistically significant difference. RESULTS: Twenty-one subjects participated. Thoracic support alone did not significantly affect CPEF or CEV (Bonferroni adjusted P > .008). With a maximal inspiration and thoracic support, CPEF and CPEV were significantly higher than in all other cough conditions (Bonferroni adjusted P < .008). Pain during cough was not influenced by the different cough conditions (P > .05). There was no significant difference in the cough variables or pain during the different cough conditions on the first day versus the second measurement day. CONCLUSIONS: Maximal inspiration increased CPEF and CEV, but the method of thoracic support we used did not reduce pain during cough or influence the cough values we measured.