AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the effects of preoperative physical and respiratory therapy on pulmonary functions and complications after elective laparoscopic upper abdominal surgery in obese patients. METHODOLOGY: Patients were randomly assigned to receive respiratory and general exercise for 2 weeks before operation (group I; n = 26) two physical and specialized respiratory therapy sessions per week (each one 40 min) in comparison to non-engaged group in any exercise (group II; n = 24). Pulmonary functions outcome variables including slow vital capacity (SVC), inspiratory capacity (IC), maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP and MEP and 6-min walk test were recorded as a baseline, after two weeks of exercise day two, five and one month post-operative. Any postoperative pulmonary complications were recorded. RESULTS: There were statistically significant difference between groups, patients in the intervention group (group I) had higher pulmonary function in all parameters than (group II) p < 0.05) in all the post-operative periods. Postoperative pulmonary complications occurred in 15 patients (62%) in the control group (group II) and in 7 patients (27%) in the intervention group (group I) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Preoperative physical and respiratory therapy improved pulmonary functions and decreased the incidence of post-operative pulmonary complications in obese patients undergoing to laparoscopic upper abdominal surgery.

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