In this study we present prospective clinical trial included 100 patients. One half of the patients underwent open
cholecystectomy, whereas
laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in the other half Spirometric parameters, arterial blood
gases, acid-base balance, were determined preoperatively, and then at 6 h, 24 h, 72 h and 144 h postoperatively. The impact of
physical therapy on the respiratory parameter patterns, VAS-
pain score and use of
tramadol were studied after
cholecystectomy. Significantly lower VAS-
pain score and less
tramadol use, higher values and faster recovery of ventilation parameters and PaO2 were recorded after
laparoscopic cholecystectomy than after open
cholecystectomy (p = 0.001 for both).
Physical therapy resulted in a significant improvement in the values of respiratory parameters in the open
cholecystectomy group within a short time (30 min) after
therapy was performed.
Physical therapy failed to produce any improvement of respiratory parameters in
laparoscopic cholecystectomy, whereas in open
cholecystectomy group who had a favorable although transient effect, strictly limited to the short time from its application. (p = 0.005). The patients operated on by open
cholecystectomy had statistically significantly more pronounced disturbances including
hypoxia,
hypocapnia and
hyperventilation when compared to the group submitted to
laparoscopic cholecystectomy. It is recommended that
physical therapy be more frequently performed during the postoperative period in patients submitted to open
cholecystectomy.