OBJECTIVES: To investigate respiratory and hemodynamic responses to deep breathing exercise (DBE) during the follow-up period in the intensive care unit after major head and neck surgery.
STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients were instructed to perform DBE every hour for 3 consecutive hours during the first postoperative day. The ratio of the partial pressure of arterial oxygen to the fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2), oxygen saturation (SpO2), respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) was recorded.
RESULTS: DBE increased the PaO2/FiO2 ratio from 416.7 ± 143.6 to 453.4 ± 141.4 mm Hg and increased SpO2 from 97.4 ± 1.9 to 99.2 ± 0.9. DBE decreased the RR from 24.1 ± 3.3 to 21.8 ± 2.9 breaths/min (P < 0.05). No statistically significant difference in HR or MAP was observed after DBE (P > 0.05).
CONCLUSION: DBE improves oxygenation after major head and neck surgery, without causing additional harmful hemodynamic effects.
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