INCENTIVE SPIROMETRY FOR TRACHEOSTOMY AND LARYNGECTOMY PATIENTS

Sustained maximal inspiration (incentive spirometry) is used for the prevention and management of atelectasis in major abdominal and thoracic surgery. Patients with head and neck surgery are predisposed to postoperative disturbances in lung function after extensive surgical resection, immobilization, or significant chest wall deformity from various reconstructive procedures. The patient often requires tracheostomy or permanent laryngeal stoma. A prospective clinical study on patients with major head and neck surgery was conducted to evaluate the use of incentive spirometry to improve postoperative lung function. An adaptor was first designed to allow patients with tracheostomy tubes to use the spirometers. Parameters studied include vital signs, arterial blood gases (A-a gradient), and pulmonary function test. Significant improvement of lung function and lack of complication warrant the use of incentive spirometry in postoperative head and neck surgery patients.