Effectiveness of preoperative inspiratory muscle training using the Threshold IMT in patients undergoing esophageal surgery: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Preoperative inspiratory muscle training (IMT) can prevent postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing esophagectomy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative IMT and its postoperative benefits by assessing maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), and peak expiratory flow (PEF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was conducted by the Digestive Tract Surgery Service, University Hospital of the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro. Twenty-six patients were included: control group (CG, n=12) and intervention group (IG, n=14). Patients of IG underwent IMT for at least 2 weeks. Assessments were performed before and after surgery. RESULTS: There was an increase of MIP (p=0.006), MEP (p=0.005) and MVV (0.042) in IG after preoperative IMT compared to CG. Evaluation of PEF revealed no increase in IG after IMT compared to CG (p=0.63). A decrease in the variables analyzed was observed in both group at discharge and the variables had returned to baseline values on postoperative day 30. There was no significant difference in the frequency of postoperative pulmonary complications between groups. CONCLUSION: The IMT applied in our study improved preoperative inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength and ventilatory function but did not result in better postoperative evolution of patients undergoing esophagectomy.