Cough impairment and risk of postoperative pulmonary complications after open upper abdominal surgery.

Background: Cough impairment is often described as part of the pathophysiological basis of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). However, there have been few studies examining cough effectiveness and its relationship with PPCs following open upper abdominal surgery. The goal of this study was to estimate (1) changes in cough efficacy after upper abdominal surgery through the assessment of peak cough flow and (2) the extent to which cough impairment is associated with postoperative pain, FVC, and risk of PPCs.

Influence of pleural drainage on postoperative pain, vital capacity and six-minute walk test after pulmonary resection.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of pleural drainage on the distance covered on the six-minute walk test, pain intensity and vital capacity in patients submitted to pulmonary resection.

Methods: Thirteen consecutive patients from the Thoracic Surgery Infirmary of Hospital São Paulo, Brazil, submitted to closed pleural drainage (0.5-in multiperforated chest tube) in the postoperative period following pulmonary resection (lobectomy, segmentectomy and pulmonary nodule resection) were evaluated.