Abstract
Objective: To determine the effectiveness of incentive spirometry in preventing post- operative pulmonary complications after laparotomy.
Methodology: This randomized control trial was conducted in the Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi, Pakistan from January 2013 to May 2013 and 42 male and 18 female were included in the study. A total of 60 patients, who had underwent laparotomy were randomly assigned to two groups; control group and experimental group. The control group was given only breathing exercises. The experimental group received incentive spirometry and breathing exercises. Improvement was measured by the value of FEV1/ FVC and BORG scale for the rate of perceived dyspnea. Data was analyzed by SPSS v17.
Results: The incentive spirometry improved BORG scale and FEV1/FVC ratio significantly (P=0.0001, P=0.0001) in experimental group, as compared to the deep breathing exercise in control group (P= 0.907 and P=0.897).
Conclusion: Incentive spirometry was an effective tool in preventing post operative pulmonary complications after laparotomy.
