The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association
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J Am Osteopath Assoc · Aug 1993
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialComparison of thoracic manipulation with incentive spirometry in preventing postoperative atelectasis.
Atelectasis is a preventable complication that often occurs after upper abdominal surgery. In our 1-year randomized, researcher-blinded trial, low-risk cholecystectomy patients were subjected to either the thoracic lymphatic pump (n = 21) or incentive spirometry (n = 21) to prevent atelectasis. ⋯ Atelectasis occurred in 2 (5%) of 21 patients regardless of whether incentive spirometry or thoracic lymphatic pump treatment was used. Study patients treated with the thoracic lymphatic pump technique had an earlier recovery and quicker return toward preoperative values for FVC and FEV1 than patients treated with incentive spirometry.