BACKGROUND: To prospectively evaluate respiratory function using spirometric parameters in patients who underwent abdominal plastic surgery. METHODS: We studied 33 healthy non-smoking women that were submitted to abdominoplasty and presented normal results for thorax radiography made prior and four days after surgery. Spirometric tests were performed on the fourth, fifteenth and thirtieth day after surgery. RESULTS: Spirometric tests performed showed that, except for FEV1/FVC and FEF 25% - 75%/FVC, rewations, all other measured parameters (FVC, FEV, FEF 25% - 75% and PFE) were significantly decreased by the fourth postoperative day in relation to pre-surgical values. On the thirtieth post-surgery day FCV and PFE values were unsideted normal. Otherwise, FEV1 values were still significantly decreased compared to pre-surgical values even at the last evaluation. Spirometric tests evidenced that, except for the relation FEV1/FVC and FEF 25% - 75%/FVC, all other measured parameters (FVC, FEV, FEF 25% - 75% and PFE) were significantly decreased in the fourth post-surgery day in relation to presurgical values. FCV and PFE values were normal at the evaluation performed on the thirtieth post-surgery day. Otherwise, FEV1 values were still significantly decreased compared to pre-surgical values, even in the last evaluation. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, pulmonary function were significantly decreased in the fourth post-surgery day, with normalization at the thirtieth post-surgery day.
Abdomen; Surgery, Plastic; Respiration; Spirometry
