Effects of the Breath Stacking Technique After Upper Abdominal Surgery

Effects of the Breath Stacking Technique After Upper Abdominal Surgery: Randomized Controlled Trial

This study evaluates the effects of the breath stacking technique in patients after upper abdominal surgery. Half of the patients receive routine physical therapy associated with the Breath Stacking technique, while the other half will receive only routine physical therapy.

This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effects of the Breath Stacking technique in patients undergoing upper abdominal surgery on clinical, physiological and cardiopulmonary variables. These individuals were randomized to compose the control group (CG) and the intervention group (GBS). The routine physical therapy was performed in both groups and in the GBS two daily sessions of up to 20 minutes of Breath Stacking technique were applied. To verify the effect of this intervention, before and after the protocol, patients underwent the following evaluations: algometry, cirtometry in the axillary line , umbilical line and the xiphoid process, ventilometry, spirometry and manovacuometry.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients undergoing a surgical procedure that involves in an incision in the upper quadrants of the abdominal region.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Intolerance to the use of BS mask.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Asthma, Chron's disease.
• Liver trauma severe with hemodynamic repercussions.
• Patients undergoing esophagectomy.
• Sepsis with complications postoperative hemodynamics.
• Need for surgical reintervention.
• Forwarded to Intensive Care Unit or need for mechanical ventilation after discharge from the anesthetic recovery.
• Cognitive dysfunction that makes it impossible to understand and execute evaluations and intervention.