Background

Thoracic or abdominal surgeries are followed by a shorter or longer period of immobilization and after major surgery there is a higher risk of developing cardiorespiratory complications. To prevent these complications, the patient is encouraged to change position and exercise in bed, get out of bed as early and as much as possible after the operation and to breathe with or without aids. There is no general definition of early mobilization and may start within a few hours to a few days after surgery. There is currently a lack of knowledge nationally and internationally about when the mobilization starts and what it contains.

Many patients also receive breathing training in connection with the surgery. There is currently no consensus on which method is preferable for which groups of patients. There are similarities and differences in practice in the world regarding postoperative breathing training. There are studies that have mapped practice after primarily thoracic surgery but also abdominal surgery. However, there are no studies that have mapped when the prescribed breathing training starts after different types of operations.

The purpose of the study is to map when mobilization and breathing training starts after abdominal and thoracic surgery and what is then performed

Method The study will be carried out as a quality follow-up with mapping of practice. Patients ≥ 18 years of age who are undergoing a planned or acute open, keyhole or robot-assisted surgery, who are extubated and who breathe spontaneously will be included. Exclusion criteria are completed plastic, trauma, orthopedic or transplant surgery.

The material will be recruited from Swedish university hospitals and county hospitals for 20 days of surgery (Monday through Thursday) for five consecutive weeks.

Clinical benefit The study will mean that clinical practice is presented which, with regard to mobilization, is the first study ever that will present when this takes place and what is done and, with regard to breathing training, the first that shows when this training is initiated.

Inclusion Criteria:

• ≥ 18 years of age
• undergoing a planned or acute open, laparoscopic or robot-assisted surgeon in the thorax or abdomen
• who are extubated within 24 h of surgery
• breathe spontaneously within 24 h of surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

• reconstructive-, trauma-, transplantation- or orthopedic surgery.

The patients will not be aware of the study activities