Adding autogenic drainage to chest physiotherapy after upper abdominal surgery: effect on blood gases and pulmonary complications prevention. Randomized controlled trial.

Background: Hypoxemia and pulmonary complications are common after upper abdominal surgery (UAS).

Objective: To examine whether inclusion of autogenic drainage (AD) in chest physiotherapy after UAS confers additional benefits in improving blood gases and reducing postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs).

Design And Setting: Randomized controlled study conducted at Kasr Al-Ainy teaching hospital, Egypt.