2008 Volume 35 Issue 7 Pages 308-312
The purpose of this study was to investigate the sequential changes in peak cough flow (PCF), vital capacity (VC), and postoperative pain after laparotomy, and to determine the relationship among these measurements in patients undergoing laparotomy. Thirty patients undergoing elective surgery underwent measurement of PCF, VC, and postoperative pain at rest and during cough. These measurements were performed preoperatively and on postoperative days 1 to 9 and 13. PCF, VC, and postoperative pain were measured by peak flow meter, Wright respirometer, and visual analog scale (VAS), respectively. Correlations among these measurements were assessed using Pearson correlation coefficient. Sequential changes of these measurements were compared using a one-way ANOVA, and multiple comparisons were performed with Tamhane test. PCF was significantly depressed from day 1 through day 5, and VC was significantly reduced from day 1 through day 6 after surgery, compared with preoperative values. Recovery of VC and postoperative pain at rest and during cough were significantly correlated to recovery of PCF. Moreover, PCF and VC were significantly correlated. Our results help clarify sequential changes in PCF and the relationship between PCF, VC, and postoperative pain. These findings support the use of physical therapy techniques in perioperative patients, such as breathing exercises for increasing VC, and assisted cough for decreasing postoperative pain.
