Objective: The aim of this study was to measure the changes in lung volume, pulmonary ventilation, maximum respiratory muscle strength, and the incidence of pulmonary complications in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Type of study: Prospective study. Material and methods: Twenty patients (7 men and 13 women) with mean age of 42.7 years with normal respiratory function were studied. All patients in the preoperative period answered a long questionnaire, had a physical examination done, and had their lung volumes, respiratory muscle strength, diaphragmatic index and pulse oximetry determined. All measurements were repeated on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th postoperative days. Results: Patients showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) on the first postoperative day: 26% ± 13% in tidal volume; 20% ± 14% in minute volume; 36% ± 17% in vital capacity; 47% ± 17% in maximum inspiratory pressure, 39% ± 27% in the maximum expiratory pressure and 36% ± 25% in diaphragmatic index. Tidal volume, minute volume and maximum expiratory pressure returned to their basal values on the third postoperative day; vital capacity, maximum inspiratory pressure and diaphragmatic index returned to their basal values between the 4th and 6th postoperative days. Among the 20 patients pulmonary complication was observed in just one patient (lobar atelectasis); there was a full recovery by the third postoperative day with the use of chest physical therapy techniques. Conclusion: The authors conclude that patients undergoing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy show a significant decrease in lung volume and in respiratory muscle strength on the first postoperative day. But, when these measurements are compared to the literature, return to their basal values is faster (between the 4th and 6th postoperative days) than with conventional surgery.
Laparoscopic surgery
