Obesity surgery
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Short-term respiratory physical therapy treatment in the PACU and influence on postoperative lung function in obese adults.
Even several days after surgery, obese patients exhibit a measureable amount of atelectasis and thus are predisposed to postoperative pulmonary complications. Particularly in ambulatory surgery, rapid recovery of pulmonary function is desired to ensure early discharge of the obese patient. In this study, we wanted to evaluate intensive short-term respiratory physical therapy treatment (incentive spirometry) in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and its impact on pulmonary function in the obese. ⋯ Short-term respiratory physiotherapy during the PACU stay promotes more rapid recovery of postoperative lung function in the obese during the first 24 h.