Empleo de la espirometría incentiva en el análisis de la función pulmonar y la predicción de complicaciones postoperatorias en cirugía torácica

Abstract

Introduction. Decreased lung function following thoracic surgery is involved in the etiology of respiratory complications. Specifically, FEV1 and postoperative morbidity and mortality are related inversely. Measuring postoperative FEV1 requires technological equipment not available in most units of Thoracic Surgery. The incentive spirometry is a simple and widely method used in the perioperative period. Objectives. To quantify the correlation between the results of the incentive spirometry and FEV1 during the preoperative day and the days following surgery, in patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Material and Methods. A prospective study of patients undergoing thoracic surgery techniques (video assisted thoracotomy, video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) and sternotomy) were included. Collecting values encourages maximum inspiratory volume by using spirometry and spirometry FEV1 during the pre and postoperative day until discharge. Follow-up 6 months. Results: 74 patients were included (56 men and 7 women), mean age 58 +16 years were obtained. 57% were operated by thoracotomy, 25% with video assisted thoracotomy, VATS 13%, and 5 % sternotomy. 43 subjects underwent lung resection surgery (8 pneumonectomies, 19 lobectomies and 16 segmentectomies). The average stay reached 5 +3 days, starting the hospital stay the day before surgery. A correlation coefficient of 0.719 (p = 0.0005) was obtained. Conclusions: there is a significant linear correlation between the values of maximum inspiratory volume and FEV1 in patients undergoing thoracic surgery interventions.