TY - JOUR
T1 - Using an incentive spirometer reduces pulmonary complications in patients with traumatic rib fractures
T2 - A randomized controlled trial
AU - Sum, Shao Kai
AU - Peng, Ya Chuan
AU - Yin, Shun Ying
AU - Huang, Pin Fu
AU - Wang, Yao Chang
AU - Chen, Tzu Ping
AU - Tung, Heng Hsin
AU - Yeh, Chi Hsiao
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 The Author(s).
PY - 2019/12/30
Y1 - 2019/12/30
N2 - Background: An incentive spirometer (IS) is a mechanical device that promotes lung expansion. It is commonly used to prevent postoperative lung atelectasis and decrease pulmonary complications after cardiac, lung, or abdominal surgery. This study explored its effect on lung function and pulmonary complication rates in patients with rib fractures. Methods: Between June 2014 and May 2017, 50 adult patients with traumatic rib fractures were prospectively investigated. Patients who were unconscious, had a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma, or an Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥ 16 were excluded. Patients were randomly divided into a study group (n = 24), who underwent IS therapy, and a control group (n = 26). All patients received the same analgesic protocol. Chest X-rays and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed on the 5th and 7th days after trauma. Results: The groups were considered demographically homogeneous. The mean age was 55.2 years and 68% were male. Mean pretreatment ISSs and mean number of ribs fractured were not significantly different (8.23 vs. 8.08 and 4 vs. 4, respectively). Of 50 patients, 28 (56%) developed pulmonary complications, which were more prevalent in the control group (80.7% vs. 29.2%; p = 0.001). Altogether, 25 patients had delayed hemothorax, which was more prevalent in the control group (69.2% vs. 29.2%; p = 0.005). Two patients in the control group developed atelectasis, one patient developed pneumothorax, and five patients required thoracostomy. PFT results showed decreased forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) in the control group. Comparing pre- and posttreatment FVC and FEV1, the study group had significantly greater improvements (p < 0.001). Conclusions: In conclusion, the use of an IS reduced pulmonary complications and improved PFT results in patients with rib fractures. The IS is a cost-effective device for patients with rib fractures and its use has clinical benefits without harmful effects. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04006587. Registered on 3 July 2019.
AB - Background: An incentive spirometer (IS) is a mechanical device that promotes lung expansion. It is commonly used to prevent postoperative lung atelectasis and decrease pulmonary complications after cardiac, lung, or abdominal surgery. This study explored its effect on lung function and pulmonary complication rates in patients with rib fractures. Methods: Between June 2014 and May 2017, 50 adult patients with traumatic rib fractures were prospectively investigated. Patients who were unconscious, had a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma, or an Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥ 16 were excluded. Patients were randomly divided into a study group (n = 24), who underwent IS therapy, and a control group (n = 26). All patients received the same analgesic protocol. Chest X-rays and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed on the 5th and 7th days after trauma. Results: The groups were considered demographically homogeneous. The mean age was 55.2 years and 68% were male. Mean pretreatment ISSs and mean number of ribs fractured were not significantly different (8.23 vs. 8.08 and 4 vs. 4, respectively). Of 50 patients, 28 (56%) developed pulmonary complications, which were more prevalent in the control group (80.7% vs. 29.2%; p = 0.001). Altogether, 25 patients had delayed hemothorax, which was more prevalent in the control group (69.2% vs. 29.2%; p = 0.005). Two patients in the control group developed atelectasis, one patient developed pneumothorax, and five patients required thoracostomy. PFT results showed decreased forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) in the control group. Comparing pre- and posttreatment FVC and FEV1, the study group had significantly greater improvements (p < 0.001). Conclusions: In conclusion, the use of an IS reduced pulmonary complications and improved PFT results in patients with rib fractures. The IS is a cost-effective device for patients with rib fractures and its use has clinical benefits without harmful effects. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04006587. Registered on 3 July 2019.
KW - Forced expiratory volume
KW - Forced vital capacity
KW - Incentive spirometer
KW - Pulmonary complications
KW - Rib fracture
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85077239257&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/s13063-019-3943-x
DO - 10.1186/s13063-019-3943-x
M3 - Article
C2 - 31888765
AN - SCOPUS:85077239257
SN - 1745-6215
VL - 20
JO - Trials
JF - Trials
IS - 1
M1 - 797
ER -