Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, Sec.- 5, Rohini, New Delhi, 110 085.
The purpose of this study was 1) to evaluate the efficacy of deep breathing exercises over no chest physiotherapy 2) to evaluate the efficacy of incentive spirometry over no chest physiotherapy 3) to evaluate the efficacy of deep breathing exercises over incentive spirometry.
Both sexes i.e. male & female were included in the study. Adults undergoing any type of esophagectomy for carcinoma of esophagus were also included because this population of adults represents with similar probable mechanisms for the development of pulmonary complications i.e. above the age of 18 years. Middle aged people& old people were also included in the study because they are more prone to develop post operative pulmonary complications after anesthesia. Patients who gave their written consent for conducting this study on them.
Patients who were not referred for physiotherapy even after esophagectomy were included in control group.
Only those patients who were assessed & examined preoperatively & for the initial 5 post operative days were included. Cooperative patients who followed the given instructions (such as the use of I.S.) properly.
Three groups of patients were made keeping 10 patients in each group. Group 1 patients were given deep breathing exercises manually, group 2 patients were asked to do incentive spirometry only & group 3 was control group. Deep breathing exercises were given in lying position with the head end of bed raised to 30–40 degrees. Incentive spirometry was given in sitting position with foot supported. The study was conducted in the post surgical unit of Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Center Sector 5 Rohini New Delhi -85 (India). Chest expansions at axilla, nipple & xiphisternum, Single breath count, Peak expiratory flow rate & oxygen saturation were the dependant variables.
It was found that deep breathing exercise and Incentive spirometry are more effective than no chest physiotherapy. The results of the study further suggests that comparison of the two modalities i.e. Incentive spirometry & deep breathing exercises revealed no stastically significant difference among them.
The results of the study concluded that deep breathing exercises& incentive spiromety should be recommended as treatment modalities in the prevention of post operative pulmonary complications in the patients of carcinoma esophagus undergoing esophagectomy.More studies with greater sample population are required for the generalization of the results.
