title: CPAP increases 6-minute walk distance after lung resection surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The application of CPAP has been used to minimize postoperative pulmonary complications after lung resection surgery. The aim of this study was to quantify both the CPAP effects upon lung function and functional capacity in early postoperative lung resection, as well as  to evaluate if CPAP prolongs air leak through the chest drain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients in the postoperative period of lung resection were allocated into 2 groups: an experimental group, consisting of 15 patients who underwent a 10 cm H(2)O CPAP, and a 15 patient control group, who  performed breathing exercises. Arterial blood gas analysis, peak expiratory flow (PEF), respiratory muscle strength, spirometry, and 6-min walk test (6MWT) were assessed in the preoperative period, and repeated postoperatively on the first and on the seventh day (6MWT was repeated only on  the seventh day).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant increases in PEF, muscle strength, and FEV(1) between the first and seventh postoperative day were observed, both in the experimental and in the control group, whereas FVC and P(aO(2)) increased significantly between the first  and seventh postoperative day only in the experimental group. The average loss in 6-min walk distance (6MWD) from preoperative to postoperative day 7 in the experimental group was significantly lower than in control group. When comparing the 2 groups, only 6MWD was statistically different  (P < .001). There was no air leakage increase through the drain with the early use of CPAP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When compared to breathing exercises, CPAP increases the 6MWD in postoperative lung resection patients, without prolonging air leak through the chest drain.
authors.affiliation: State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Flávio P O S
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Nery
authors.forename: Agnaldo J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: Denise N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Domingos
authors.forename: Renato F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Cunha
authors.forename: Márcia G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Peixoto
authors.forename: Cláudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Higa
authors.forename: Rodolfo A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.forename: Eduardo H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Saito
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011184:Postoperative Period; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D055815:Young Adult