The Effect of Chest Physiotherapy During Immediate Postoperative Period among Patients Underwent Abdominal Surgery

Objective: To evaluate the effect of chest physiotherapy on pain and oxygen saturation during the immediate postoperative period among patients underwent abdominal surgery. Method: A quantitative approach, by using single group pre-test and post-test qausi experimental research design without equivalent control group was undertaken. Thirty subjects who fulfilled both inclusion and exclusion criteria were included by using convenient sampling method. Pulse oximetry measurement was performed preoperatively and on the second postoperative day. A visual analog pain scale (VAS) was applied on the second postoperative day, before and after chest physiotherapy. The subjects received treatment at the post-anesthesia care unit. Length of hospitalization, surgery duration and postoperative pulmonary complications were gathered from patient’s medical record. Results: The subjects showed improved in oxygen-hemoglobin saturation reading after chest physiotherapy during the immediate postoperative period (p < 0.04). Conclusion: Chest physiotherapy was effective for improving oxygen-hemoglobin saturation reading during the immediate postoperative period among patient underwent upper abdominal surgery without increased abdominal pain.