Focused Incentive Spirometry Monitoring to Reduce Postoperative Oxygen Therapy and Respiratory Complications After Bariatric Surgery

Focused Incentive Spirometry Monitoring to Reduce Postoperative Oxygen Therapy and Respiratory Complications After Bariatric Surgery

Postoperative (PO) hypoventilation, atelectasis and hypoxemia after bariatric surgery are common and multifactorial, contributing to prolonged oxygen (O2) therapy after surgery and even at hospital discharge. Incentive spirometry (IS) is recommended postoperatively but its success in preventing postoperative atelectasis and hypoxemia (POH) heavily depends on patient compliance with IS effort and frequency. The investigators hypothesize that a focused education preoperatively on IS for POH and intensive monitoring of patient compliance with IS therapy in the early postoperative period shortens postoperative oxygen therapy, decreases POH episodes, and improves respiratory outcomes after bariatric surgery, compared to patients receiving standard of care.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients having planned elective bariatric surgery at University of Colorado Hospital

Exclusion Criteria:

• Emergency procedure
• Oxygen therapy within the previous 30 days
• Smoking within the previous 30 days
• Inability or refusal to provide consent