The aim of this study was to compare the oxygenation index (OI), dyspnea, and pain scale and evaluate the duration of thoracic drainage and pleural air leaks after lung resection in two groups of patients: chest physiotherapy (CP) patients and combined CP and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) patients.

In pulmonary resection surgery complications that lead to significant functional losses of the lung parenchyma and alterations in the ventilatory function may trigger retention of secretions, atelectasis, pneumonia and respiratory failure, which prolong the duration of mechanical ventilation and hospitalisation and contribute to the increase in risk of mortality.

In this study the oxygenation index (OI), Borg Scale, pain scale and the presence and duration of thoracic drainage was determined in the immediate postoperative (POi) period and in the first and second postoperative (PO1, PO2) days in 40 patients who underwent elective lung resection.

Similar to Chest Physiotherapy, the preventive application of CPAP in the postoperative period after lung resection in our study also appeared to be a safe technique, which allowed improved oxygenation without increasing air leaks through the thoracic drains.

Inclusion Criteria:

• medical diagnosis of lung cancer and an indication for lung resection (lobectomy, bilobectomy and pneumonectomy) with posterolateral thoracotomy;
• aged between 40 and 75 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who refused to participate in the survey;
• lung resection with incisions other than posterolateral;
• patients who had contraindications to the use of noninvasive ventilation.