Impact of breathing exercises in subjects with lung cancer undergoing surgical resection: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Factors influencing adherence to home based pulmonary rehabilitation programme by high risk patients awaiting lung surgery: mixed methods study

OBJECTIVE

Preoperative home based pulmonary rehabilitation (HPR) can reduce postoperative complications in lung surgery patients. This study aimed to investigate the level of adherence to a preoperative HPR programme in high risk patients awaiting lung surgery, and factors influencing adherence.

DESIGN

A mixed methods explanatory sequential design consisting of a quantitative questionnaire survey and a qualitative interview study.

SETTING

The study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Chongqing, China.

PARTICIPANTS

186 high risk patients awaiting lung surgery were enrolled in the preoperative HPR programme. All 186 patients participated in the quantitative questionnaire survey. 13 of the 186 patients were selected to participate in the qualitative interview study.

RESULTS

Quantitative questionnaire results revealed an adherence rate of 52.3%. Marital status, residence location, exercise habit, smoking index and pulmonary function were identified as independent influencers of adherence (p<0.05). Qualitative interviews identified poor health, lack of family and social support, adverse weather condition, arduous preoperative examination and unfit exercise intensity as barriers to adherence, and perceived health benefits, family support, and flexibility and convenience in exercise time and space as factors encouraging adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

High risk patients awaiting lung surgery adhered to preoperative HPR at a moderate level. A tiered approach can be used to develop personalised HPR protocols based on patients' individual needs and situations to improve adherence and maximise the benefits of HPR.

A case report of cardiopulmonary exercise testing and incentive spirometry-guided breathing pattern alteration for a severely tachypnoeic kyphoscoliotic patient undergoing major thoracic surgery for suspected lung malignancy

A case report of a severely dyspnoeic kyphoscoliotic patient intended for an elective major thoracic surgery for suspected lung malignancy. With baseline near maximal breathing frequency and shallow breaths and poor lung mechanics, the first encountered anaesthetist considered this patient too high risk for lobectomy. This case illustrated the application of cardiopulmonary exercise testing to provide an objective assessment of the patient's functional capacity, ventilatory efficiency and delineation of modifiable respiratory components that guide the formulation of individualized prehabilitation programme. It also depicted the perioperative role of an off-label use of incentive spirometry in providing visual feedbacks and led to subsequent assessment breathing pattern alternation. Patient underwent the lung resection uneventfully and returned to normal lifestyle on postoperative day 4.

Effect of breathing exercises on patients with interstitial lung disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

This study was designed to synthesize the efficacy and safety of breathing exercises in interstitial lung disease (ILD) patients by reviewing the literature and comparing the impact of different control group types, ILD subtypes, breathing exercise action modes or methods, and intervention durations on clinical efficacy.

METHODS

Systematic searches were conducted across 9 electronic databases, including PubMed, to retrieve English and Chinese studies reporting on ILD patients from inception to February 12, 2024. Study selection and data extraction were independently conducted by two researchers. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The data were analysed using RevMan 5.4 and STATA 17.0 software.

RESULTS

The search identified 25 studies. Compared to the control group, the breathing exercise group exhibited significantly improved lung function (FVC%pred: MD  =  3.46, 95%CI = 1.04 to 5.88; DLCO%pred: MD = 3.20, 95% CI = 2.91 to 3.48), dyspnoea (MRC or mMRC scale: MD = - 0.50, 95%CI = - 0.77 to - 0.22), exercise capacity (6MWD: MD = 32.65, 95% CI = 14.77 to 50.53), and HRQoL (SGRQ: MD = - 6.53, 95% CI = - 8.72 to - 4.34) in ILD patients. According to the subgroup analysis, significant improvements consistent with the overall results were observed in the control group with usual treatment. Compared with the control group, breathing exercises had varying degrees of improvement in the mixed diagnostic group, known-cause group, and fibrotic group of ILD patients; breathing exercises alone significantly improved DLCO%pred, MRC (or mMRC), and SGRQ; and the improvement in breathing exercises as part of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) was more notable. Different durations of breathing exercise could promote the efficacy of different aspects of treatment for ILD patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with usual treatment, breathing exercises can improve lung function, exercise capacity, and HRQoL in ILD patients, particularly without high requirements for intervention duration. The efficacy of breathing exercises varies for different ILD subtypes, and incorporating breathing exercises as part of PR can be more beneficial for ILD patients. No studies have shown significant risks for ILD patients engaging in breathing exercises.

Ultra-short-period perioperative pulmonary rehabilitation on short-term outcomes after surgery in smoking patients with lung cancer: A randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary rehabilitation is essential for airway management after thoracic surgery. Most current pulmonary rehabilitations are composed of 2-4-week exercises, which require significant consumption of medical resources and concerns about disease progression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial enrolled smoking patients with pulmonary masses or nodules suitable for lobectomy, aged 18-80, with smoking history (≥20 pack-years). Eligible patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio into two groups. Patients in the intervention group underwent perioperative breathing exercises based on positive pressure vibration expectoration and three-day preoperative lower limb endurance training. Patients in the control group received routine perioperative care. The primary outcome was in-hospital incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications. Secondary outcomes included postoperative hospital stay, total hospitalization cost, postoperative drainage time, drainage volume, semiquantitative cough strength score, pain score, Borg scale-assessed fatigue, and walking distance on postoperative days 1 and 2.

RESULTS

A total of 194 patients were included in the study with 94 in the intervention group and 100 in the control group. Our ultrashort pulmonary rehabilitation program potentially reduced pulmonary complications incidence (24.5% vs. 33.0%), but without statistical significance (P=0.190). No significant differences were found in other perioperative outcomes, except for postoperative semiquantitative cough strength score (3 [interquartile range, 3-3.75] vs. 3 [interquartile range, 2-3], P<0.001) and change in walking distance from postoperative days 1 to 2 (60 [interquartile range, 40-82.5] vs. 30 [interquartile range, 10-60], P=0.003).

CONCLUSION

There were no significant differences in postoperative complications and other hospitalizations, but our ultrashort rehabilitation program improved patients' semiquantitative cough strength score and walking distance, indicating potential for better outcomes. This treatment is a safe and effective means of airway management for thoracic surgery in the era of enhanced recovery. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: XXX).

Factors affecting lung cancer patients' intention to perform early postoperative exercise: a qualitative study based on theory of planned behavior

BACKGROUND

Early postoperative exercise is effective in improving the prognosis of postoperative lung cancer patients, but compliance was lower than expected. Factors affecting lung cancer patients' intention to perform early postoperative exercise were unclear.

PURPOSE

To discuss the factors affecting lung cancer patients' intention to perform early postoperative exercise based on the Theory of Planned Behavior.

METHODS

This was a qualitative study. Twenty-five lung cancer patients were recruited using purposive sampling, and semi-structured face-to-face interviews were performed. The reflexive intuitive thematic analysis method was used, and triangulation was employed to ensure the credibility of the study.

RESULTS

Results of this study identified 8 themes from 3 aspects. For behavioral attitudes, two themes emerged: (1) Aware of the benefits of postoperative exercise, (2) Underestimate the importance of postoperative exercise. For subjective norms, four themes emerged: (1) Influence of caregiver support on carrying out postoperative exercise, (2) Short-term supervision of medical staff, (3) Positive driving effect from other patients, and (4) Motivation due to family responsibility. For perceived behavior control, two themes and six sub-themes emerged: (1) Obstacles before actual exercise (Lack of adequate knowledge of postoperative pulmonary exercise, Less active in seeking related knowledge about rehabilitation exercise, and Misconceptions about rehabilitation exercise); (2) Unpleasant experiences during exercise (Physical discomfort, Limited space and depressive atmosphere, and Psychological burden).

CONCLUSIONS

Several factors could affect lung cancer patients' early postoperative exercise behavior. Healthcare professionals should fully understand these factors from patients' perspectives. Special interventions should be designed for the patients and their caregivers to correct cognitive bias, reduce obstacles, and promote compliance with exercise.

The effectiveness of postoperative rehabilitation interventions that include breathing exercises to prevent pulmonary atelectasis in lung cancer resection patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The main aim of this systematic review was to determine the effectiveness of postoperative rehabilitation interventions that include breathing exercises as a component to prevent atelectasis in lung cancer resection patients.

METHODS

In this review, we systematically and comprehensively searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science in English and CNKI and Wanfang in Chinese from 2012 to 2022. The review included any randomized controlled trials focusing on the effectiveness of postoperative rehabilitation interventions that include breathing exercises to prevent pulmonary atelectasis in lung cancer patients. Participants who underwent anatomic pulmonary resection and received postoperative rehabilitation interventions that included breathing exercises as a component were included in this review. The study quality and risks of bias were measured with the GRADE and Cochrane Collaboration tools, and statistical analysis was performed utilizing RevMan 5.3 software.

RESULTS

The incidence of atelectasis was significantly lower in the postoperative rehabilitation intervention group (OR = 0.35; 95% CI, 0.18 to 0.67; I2 = 0%; P = 0.67) than in the control group. The patients who underwent the postoperative rehabilitation program that included breathing exercises (intervention group) had higher forced vital capacity (FVC) scores (MD = 0.24; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.41; I² = 73%; P = 0.02), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) scores (MD = 0.31; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.60; I² = 98%; P < 0.01) and FEV1/FVC ratios (MD = 9.09; 95% CI, 1.50 to 16.67; I² = 94%; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Postoperative rehabilitation interventions that included breathing exercises decreased the incidence rate of atelectasis and improved lung function by increasing the FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC ratio.

Effectiveness of Nonpharmacological Interventions in the Field of Ventilation: An Umbrella Review

This umbrella review aimed to determine the effectiveness of nonpharmacological interventions in pulmonary ventilation and their impact on respiratory function. An individual with impaired ventilation displays visible variations manifested in their respiratory frequency, breathing rhythm ratio (I:E), thoracic symmetry, use of accessory muscles, dyspnea (feeling short of breath), oxygen saturation, diaphragm mobility, minute ventilation, peak flow, walking test, spirometry, Pimax/Pemax, diffusion, and respiratory muscle strength. Any variation in these markers demands the need for interventions in order to duly manage the signs and symptoms and to improve ventilation.

METHOD

Systematic reviews of the literature published in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese were used, which included studies in which nonpharmacological interventions were used as a response to impaired ventilation in adults in any given context of the clinical practice. The recommendations given by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) for umbrella reviews were followed. This research took place in several databases such as MEDLINE, CINAHL Complete, CINHAL, MedicLatina, ERIC, Cochrane Reviews (Embase), and PubMed. The Joanna Briggs critical analysis verification list was used for the systematic review. The data extraction was performed independently by two investigators based on the data extraction tools of the Joanna Briggs Institute, and the data were presented in a summary table alongside the support text.

RESULTS

Forty-four systematic reviews, thirty randomized clinical essays, and fourteen observational studies were included in this review. The number of participants varied between n = 103 and n = 13,370. Fifteen systematic revisions evaluated the effect of isolated respiratory muscular training; six systematic revisions evaluated, in isolation, breathing control (relaxed breathing, pursed-lip breathing, and diaphragmatic breathing exercises) and thoracic expansion exercises; and one systematic review evaluated, in isolation, the positions that optimize ventilation. Nineteen systematic reviews with combined interventions that reinforced the role of education and capacitation while also aiming for their success were considered. The articles analyzed isolated interventions and presented their efficacy. The interventions based on respiratory exercises and respiratory muscular training were the most common, and one article mentioned the efficacy of positioning in the compromisation of ventilation. Combined interventions in which the educational component was included were found to be effective in improving pulmonary function, diffusion, oxygenation, and functional capacity. The outcomes used in each study were variable, leading to a more difficult analysis of the data.

CONCLUSIONS

The interventions that were the focus of the review were duly mapped. The results suggest that nonpharmacological interventions used to optimize ventilation are effective, with a moderate to high level of evidence. There is a strong foundation for the use of the chosen interventions. The lack of studies on the intervention of "positioning to optimize ventilation" points out the need for a deeper analysis of its effects and for studies with a clear focus. This study supports the decisions and recommendations for the prescription of these interventions to patients with impaired ventilation.

Exercise across the Lung Cancer Care Continuum: An Overview of Systematic Reviews

BACKGROUND

Growing evidence supports exercise for people with lung cancer. This overview aimed to summarise exercise intervention efficacy and safety across the care continuum.

METHODS

Eight databases (including Cochrane and Medline) were searched (inception-February 2022) for systematic reviews of RCTs/quasi-RCTs. Eligibility: population-adults with lung cancer; intervention: exercise (e.g., aerobic, resistance) +/- non-exercise (e.g., nutrition); comparator: usual care/non-exercise; primary outcomes: exercise capacity, physical function, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and post-operative complications. Duplicate, independent title/abstract and full-text screening, data extraction and quality ratings (AMSTAR-2) were completed.

RESULTS

Thirty systematic reviews involving between 157 and 2109 participants (n = 6440 total) were included. Most reviews (n = 28) involved surgical participants. Twenty-five reviews performed meta-analyses. The review quality was commonly rated critically low (n = 22) or low (n = 7). Reviews commonly included combinations of aerobic, resistance and/or respiratory exercise interventions. Pre-operative meta-analyses demonstrated that exercise reduces post-operative complications (n = 4/7) and improves exercise capacity (n = 6/6), whilst HRQoL findings were non-significant (n = 3/3). Post-operative meta-analyses reported significant improvements in exercise capacity (n = 2/3) and muscle strength (n = 1/1) and non-significant HRQoL changes (n = 8/10). Interventions delivered to mixed surgical and non-surgical populations improved exercise capacity (n = 3/4), muscle strength (n = 2/2) and HRQoL (n = 3). Meta-analyses of interventions in non-surgical populations demonstrated inconsistent findings. Adverse event rates were low, however, few reviews reported on safety.

CONCLUSIONS

A large body of evidence supports lung cancer exercise interventions to reduce complications and improve exercise capacity in pre- and post-operative populations. Additional higher-quality research is needed, particularly in the non-surgical population, including subgroup analyses of exercise type and setting.

Effect of continuous nursing combined with respiratory exercise nursing on pulmonary function of postoperative patients with lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is a malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality among cancers. Surgery is currently one of the primary methods of treating lung cancer. Although it can slow down the progression of the disease by removing the lesion, this invasive surgery inevitably damages the integrity of the patient’s chest. Moreover, the patient’s pulmonary function may have a low compensatory capacity after surgery, causing various respiratory diseases such as atelectasis, respiratory function decline, and even serious cardiovascular disease. All of these have great negative impacts on the surgical effect and the prognosis of patients. With the continuous exploration and development of nursing, continuous nursing and respiratory exercise nursing have been gradually applied in the nursing of patients after lung cancer surgery, and have achieved good nursing results.

AIM

To investigate the effect of continuous nursing combined with respiratory exercise nursing on the pulmonary function of postoperative patients with lung cancer.

METHODS

A total of 80 patients with lung cancer who underwent surgery in our hospital from January 2021 to December 2021 were selected as the study subjects. All subjects were randomly divided into the control group (n = 40 cases) and the experimental group (n = 40 cases). Patients with lung cancer in the control group were given conventional nursing after surgery, while the experimental group was given continuous nursing combined with respiratory exercise nursing based on conventional nursing. The recovery of pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms was observed before and after 3 mo of intervention in both groups. The pulmonary function parameters, blood gas analysis, MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-lung cancer module (MDASI-LC) scores, incidence of pulmonary complications, and Morisky compliance scores were compared between the two groups before and after 3 mo of intervention.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in pulmonary function and blood gas analysis between the two groups before intervention (P > 0.05). 3 mo after the intervention, the pulmonary function parameters in the experimental group (SpO₂, VC, MVV, FEV1, FEV1% pred, and FEV1/FVC) were higher than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in blood gas analysis between the two groups before intervention (P > 0.05). PaO₂ in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group, and PaCO₂ was significantly lower than that in the control group 3 mo after the intervention. The difference had statistical significance (P < 0.05). 3 mo after the intervention, the MDASI score of respiratory symptoms in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05), and the incidence of pulmonary complications was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, the treatment compliance and nursing satisfaction of patients in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Continuous nursing combined with respiratory exercise nursing can significantly accelerate the recovery of respiratory function in postoperative lung cancer patients, reduce the incidence of postoperative complications of lung cancer as well as improve the treatment compliance of patients.

Postoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes after Uniportal Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Using the Perioperative Symptom Assessment for Lung Surgery Scale

This study aimed to use a new special inventory for lung surgery patients to evaluate postoperative symptoms and functional status and to identify factors that may affect these after uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). In this single-center longitudinal cohort observational study, we used a new scale, the perioperative symptom assessment for lung surgery (PSA-Lung), to evaluate the recovery from symptoms and the functional status of patients undergoing uniportal VATS. We divided patients into two groups, according to patients' symptom scores, and compared the clinical characteristics between the two groups under each item. Then, we conducted a qualitative interview regarding coughing in postoperative week 4. Exactly 104 patients were enrolled in this study. The two highest-scoring patient-reported outcome (PRO) items were "shortness of breath" and "coughing" in the fourth week after surgery. Thirty-one patients reported that "coughing" severely influenced their lives in postoperative week 4. Using the PSA-Lung inventory, we found that "shortness of breath" was the worst symptom in postoperative week 4. Although "coughing" was not the most important symptom in the early postoperative period, it affected some patients' lives in postoperative week 4. Therefore, further research is required to determine the optimal cut-off point for coughing.

Prediction of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications after lung resection in a Chinese population: A machine learning-based study

Background

Approximately 20% of patients with lung cancer would experience postoperative cardiopulmonary complications after anatomic lung resection. Current prediction models for postoperative complications were not suitable for Chinese patients. This study aimed to develop and validate novel prediction models based on machine learning algorithms in a Chinese population.

Methods

Patients with lung cancer receiving anatomic lung resection and no neoadjuvant therapies from September 1, 2018 to August 31, 2019 were enrolled. The dataset was split into two cohorts at a 7:3 ratio. The logistic regression, random forest, and extreme gradient boosting were applied to construct models in the derivation cohort with 5-fold cross validation. The validation cohort accessed the model performance. The area under the curves measured the model discrimination, while the Spiegelhalter z test evaluated the model calibration.

Results

A total of 1085 patients were included, and 760 were assigned to the derivation cohort. 8.4% and 8.0% of patients experienced postoperative cardiopulmonary complications in the two cohorts. All baseline characteristics were balanced. The values of the area under the curve were 0.728, 0.721, and 0.767 for the logistic, random forest and extreme gradient boosting models, respectively. No significant differences existed among them. They all showed good calibration (p > 0.05). The logistic model consisted of male, arrhythmia, cerebrovascular disease, the percentage of predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in one second, and the ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity. The last two variables, the percentage of forced vital capacity and age ranked in the top five important variables for novel machine learning models. A nomogram was plotted for the logistic model.

Conclusion

Three models were developed and validated for predicting postoperative cardiopulmonary complications among Chinese patients with lung cancer. They all exerted good discrimination and calibration. The percentage of predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in one second and the ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity might be the most important variables. Further validation in different scenarios is still warranted.

Application Effect and Prognosis of High-Quality Nursing in the Whole Process of Nursing in Lung Cancer Surgery

Objective

To explore the application effect and prognostic benefits of whole-course high-quality nursing in lung cancer patients after surgery.

Methods

Sixty patients with lung cancer who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Respiratory Medicine from April 2020 to July 2021 were recruited and assigned to receive either conventional nursing (control group) or whole-course high-quality nursing (intervention group) using the random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. Outcome measures included self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) scores, self-rating depression scale (SDS) scores, nursing compliance, patient satisfaction, complications, and patient prognosis.

Results

Patients receiving whole-course high-quality nursing showed significantly lower SAS and SDS scores versus those given conventional nursing (P < 0.05). Whole-course high-quality nursing resulted in higher patient compliance versus conventional nursing (P < 0.05). Patients in the intervention group were more satisfied with the nursing compared with those in the control group (P < 0.05). Whole-course high-quality nursing resulted in a lower incidence of complications, postoperative recurrence, and mortality versus conventional nursing (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Whole-course high-quality nursing alleviates the negative emotions of patients after lung cancer surgery, enhances patient compliance and satisfaction, and reduces the incidence of postoperative relapse and complications, which demonstrates great potential for clinical promotion.

Application of ERAS Protocol after VATS Surgery for Chronic Empyema in Immunocompromised Patients

Enhanced recovery after surgery protocols have shown improved clinical outcomes after lung resection surgery, but their application after empyema surgery is still limited. We retrospectively evaluated the outcomes of an adapted enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol for immunocompromised patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) surgery for chronic empyema between December 2013 and December 2021. The patients were divided into an ERAS group and a conventional treatment group. Peri-operative data were collected and compared between the two groups. The primary outcome was post-operative length of stay. Secondary outcomes were post-operative pain and post-operative complications (air leaks, atelectasis). A total of 86 patients, 45 in the ERAS group and 41 in the non-ERAS group, were considered. Chest tube duration (6.4 ± 2.3 vs. 13.6 ± 6.8 days) and post-operative length of stay (7.6 ± 1.6 vs. 16.9 ± 6.9 days) were significantly shorter in the ERAS group. The volume of chest drainage (103 ± 78 vs. 157 ± 89 mL/day) was significantly smaller in the ERAS group. There were no significant differences in operative time, blood loss, need for transfusion, tube reinsertion and median VAS score. The incidence of air leaks and atelectasis was significantly reduced in the ERAS group, as was the need for bronchoscopic aspiration. The application of an ERAS protocol after empyema VATS surgery for immunocompromised patients improved the surgical outcome, reducing the post-operative length of stay and rate of complications.

Spontaneous Ventilation Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery for Non-small-cell Lung Cancer Patients With Poor Lung Function: Short- and Long-Term Outcomes

Objective

The goal of this study was to explore the feasibility and safety of spontaneous ventilation video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (SV-VATS) for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with poor lung function.

Methods

NSCLC patients with poor lung function who underwent SV-VATS or mechanical ventilation VATS (MV-VATS) from 2011 to 2018 were analyzed. 1:2 Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied, and the short- and long-term outcomes between the SV-VATS group and the MV-VATS group were compared.

Results

Anesthesia time (226.18 ± 64.89 min vs. 248.27 ± 76.07 min; P = 0.03), operative time (140.85 ± 76.07 min vs. 163.12 ± 69.37 min; P = 0.01), days of postoperative hospitalization (7.29 ± 3.35 days vs. 8.40 ± 7.89 days; P = 0.04), and days of chest tube use (4.15 ± 2.89 days vs. 5.15 ± 3.54 days; P = 0.01), the number of N1 station lymph node dissection (2.94 ± 3.24 vs. 4.34 ± 4.15; P = 0.005) and systemic immune-inflammation index (3855.43 ± 3618.61 vs. 2908.11 ± 2933.89; P = 0.04) were lower in SV-VATS group. Overall survival and disease-free survival were not significantly different between the two groups (OS: HR 0.66, 95% CI: 0.41–1.07, P = 0.09; DFS: HR 0.78, 95% CI: 0.42–1.45, P = 0.43).

Conclusions

Comparable short-term and long-term outcomes indicated that SV-VATS is a feasible and safe method and might be an alternative to MV-VATS when managing NSCLC patients with poor lung function.

Effects of Preoperative Breathing Exercise on Postoperative Outcomes for Patients With Lung Cancer Undergoing Curative Intent Lung Resection: A Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the benefits of preoperative breathing exercises on hospital length of stay (LOS), pneumonia, postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC), 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients undergoing surgical lung cancer resection.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were comprehensively searched from inception to March 2021.

STUDY SELECTION

Only studies including preoperative inspiratory muscle training (IMT) and/or breathing exercises compared with a nontraining control group were included. The meta-analysis was done using Cochrane software for multiple variables including LOS, pneumonia, PPC, 6MWD, FEV1, mortality, and HRQOL.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two authors extracted the data of the selected studies. The primary outcomes were LOS and PPC.

DATA SYNTHESIS

A total of 10 studies were included in this meta-analysis, 8 of which had both IMT and aerobic exercise. Pooled data for patients who performed preoperative breathing exercises, compared with controls, demonstrated a decrease in LOS with a pooled mean difference of -3.44 days (95% confidence interval [CI], -4.14 to -2.75; P<.01). Subgroup analysis also demonstrated that LOS was further reduced when breathing exercises were combined with aerobic exercise (χ2, 4.85; P=.03). Preoperative breathing exercises reduce pneumonia and PPCs with an odds ratio of 0.37 (95% CI, 0.18-0.75; P<.01) and 0.37 (95% CI, 0.21-0.65; P<.01), respectively. An increase in 6MWD of 20.2 meters was noted in those performing breathing exercises (95% CI, 9.12-31.21; P<.01). No significant differences were noted in FEV1, mortality, or HRQOL.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative breathing exercises reduced LOS, PPC, and pneumonia and potentially improved 6MWD in patients undergoing surgical lung cancer resection. Breathing exercises in combination with aerobic exercise yielded greater reductions in LOS. Randomized controlled trials are needed to test the feasibility of introducing a preoperative breathing exercise program in this patient population.

Effects of respiratory training on ventilation potential and extubation time in patients with tracheotomy: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

In the early treatment of critical patients, tracheotomy is often performed to improve ventilation. Clinical practices usually start respiratory training after the artificial airway is removed. It is still controversial whether respiratory training during tube occlusion has effects on patients' ventilation potential and tube occlusion time. Therefore, this study used Meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of respiratory training on patients' ventilation potential and tube occlusion time during tracheotomy in patients with tube occlusion, so as to provide evidence for rehabilitation treatment.

METHODS

Wanfang, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched through the computer and the randomized controlled trials of respiratory training on ventilation potential and extubation time in patients experiencing tracheotomy were collected as well. The searching time is limited to October 2021. The language restrictions are Chinese and English. Meta-analysis is performed by using RevMan5.4.

RESULTS

The results of this meta-analysis will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.

CONCLUSION

This study will provide the latest evidence for the rehabilitation training of patients who underwent tracheotomy.

OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER

DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/6UCQF.

Using the Surgical Risk Preoperative Assessment System to Define the "High Risk" Surgical Patient

BACKGROUND

Defining a "high risk" surgical population remains challenging. Using the Surgical Risk Preoperative Assessment System (SURPAS), we sought to define "high risk" groups for adverse postoperative outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the 2009-2018 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. SURPAS calculated probabilities of 12 postoperative adverse events. The Hosmer Lemeshow graphs of deciles of risk and maximum Youden index were compared to define "high risk."

RESULTS

Hosmer-Lemeshow plots suggested the "high risk" patient could be defined by the 10th decile of risk. Maximum Youden index found lower cutoff points for defining "high risk" patients and included more patients with events. This resulted in more patients classified as "high risk" and higher number needed to treat to prevent one complication. Some specialties (thoracic, vascular, general) had more "high risk" patients, while others (otolaryngology, plastic) had lower proportions.

CONCLUSIONS

SURPAS can define the "high risk" surgical population that may benefit from risk-mitigating interventions.

The Clinical Value of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Reducing Postoperative Complications and Mortality of Lung Cancer Resection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation is one meaningful way of improving exercise tolerance and pulmonary function. Thus, it may reduce the postoperative complications and mortality of pulmonary resection. Hence, we refreshed the data and conducted this systemic analysis.

Method: We searched Pubmed, Web of Science, and EMBASE using “lung OR pulmonary” AND “operation OR resection OR surgery” AND “rehabilitation or exercise.” The cut-off date was September 30, 2020. The publications were filtrated, and data were extracted from all selected studies by two reviewers. Review Manger 5.1 and the fixed or random regression model were used for calculating the pooled odds ratio (OR).

Result: Finally, 13 publications were enrolled in this study. Among them, five publications reported mortality, nine reported postoperative complications, and seven reported postoperative pulmonary complications. The pooled OR of mortality was 1.32 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.54–3.23] for the pulmonary rehabilitation group, the pooled OR of postoperative complications was 0.62 (95% CI: 0.49–0.79) for the pulmonary rehabilitation group, and the pooled OR of postoperative pulmonary complications was 0.39 (95% CI: 0.27–0.56) for the pulmonary rehabilitation group. Subgroup analysis revealed the perioperative pulmonary rehabilitation was the most important part.

Conclusion: Pulmonary rehabilitation may not affect the mortality of pulmonary resection patients, however, it could decrease the number of postoperative complications, especially pulmonary complications. Perioperative pulmonary rehabilitation was the most important part of the program.

The Effect of Balloon-Blowing Exercise on Postoperative Pulmonary Functions in Patients Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty

General anesthesia, prolonged immobilization, and pain may adversely affect pulmonary function in patients undergoing prosthetic surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of balloon-blowing exercises on pulmonary functions in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. The patients in the experimental group performed three sets of balloon-blowing exercises in the morning, at noon, and in the evening on the first to third days postoperatively. The increase in forced vital capacity (FVC) values between the control and experimental groups in the postoperative period was statistically significant (p < .001), in favor of the experimental group. The increase in forced expiratory volume during the first second (FEV1)/FVC ratio was found to be significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p < .001). Patients who performed balloon-blowing exercises increased their FVC and FEV1/FVC ratio.