Impact of respiratory therapy in vital capacity and functionality of patients undergoing abdominal surgery.

Objective: To evaluate the vital capacity after two chest therapy techniques in patients undergoing abdominal surgical.

Methods: A prospective randomized study carried out with patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit after abdominal surgery. We checked vital capacity, muscular strength using the Medical Research Council scale, and functionality with the Functional Independence Measure the first time the patient was breathing spontaneously (D1), and also upon discharge from the Intensive Care Unit (Ddis).