CHEST PHYSIOTHERAPY AMONG PATIENTS UNDERGOING LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY DURING THE IMMEDIATE POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD: A RANDOMIZED CONTROL TRIAL.

Tanweer Alam

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v5i9.1323

Authors

Tanweer Alam MBBS, MS (General Surgery), F.M.A.S (Coimbatore), Department of General Surgery, Fatma Hospital

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v5i9.1323

Keywords:

Chest Physiotherapy, Laparoscopic Surgery, Respiratory Function, Postoperative Pain, Oxygen-Hemoglobin Saturation

Abstract

Background

Laparoscopic surgery, although minimally invasive, can lead to postoperative respiratory complications due to the effects of general anesthesia and pneumoperitoneum. Chest physiotherapy has been effective in improving respiratory outcomes in various surgical populations, but its impact on patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery during the immediate postoperative period remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of chest physiotherapy in the immediate post-operative period among individuals undergoing laparoscopic surgery.

Methods

The study comprised 182 patients who underwent various types of laparoscopic surgery. Participants were allocated randomly into 2 groups: a control group and a chest physiotherapy group. The primary outcome was oxygen-hemoglobin saturation, while secondary outcomes included spirometry results, peak expiratory flow, pain levels, and analgesic use.

Results

The study included 52% males and 48% females with an average age of 45.7 ± 10.9 years. The chest physiotherapy group (n=91) showed significantly better postoperative outcomes: higher oxygen-hemoglobin saturation (95.8% ± 1.4% vs. 92.6% ± 2.0%, p=0.001), greater forced vital capacity (80.5% ± 9.1% vs. 72.4% ± 10.2%, p=0.001), and improved peak expiratory flow (335 ± 26 L/min vs. 298 ± 30 L/min, p=0.002). Pain levels were lower (4.5 ± 1.2 vs. 6.4 ± 1.4, p=0.000), and analgesic use was reduced (55 ± 8 mg vs. 75 ± 10 mg, p=0.002).

Conclusion

Chest physiotherapy during the immediate postoperative period significantly improves respiratory outcomes and reduces pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery. These findings support the inclusion of chest physiotherapy in postoperative care protocols for this patient population.

Recommendations

Additional research with bigger samples is needed to validate these findings and determine the long-term advantages of chest physiotherapy in laparoscopic surgery patients. In clinical practice, standardized chest physiotherapy programs may enhance patient outcomes and prevent postoperative pulmonary problems.