Determining the factors affecting functional capacity in patients undergoing different oncologic surgery

Patients with different oncologic surgery experience a decrease in functional capacity in the postoperative period compared to the preoperative period and there are many factors affecting this decrease. For this reason, respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, functional capacity, daily living activities and pain parameters can be evaluated in individuals who have undergone different oncologic surgery. The aim of the study was to determine the factors affecting functional capacity in patients with different oncologic surgery. Thirty-two individuals who underwent breast, stomach, colon, pancreas and liver oncologic surgery were included in the study. Physical and demographic characteristics of the subjects were recorded. All evaluations were repeated four times: preoperative period, postoperative day 2, postoperative day 5 and postoperative day 6. Respiratory muscle strength was evaluated with intraoral pressure measurement device. Hand grip strength was evaluated by hand dynamometer for peripheral muscle strength assessment. Functional capacity assessment included a 6-minute walk test (6MWT), 5 repetitive sit-and-go test (5XSST), and time up-go test (TUG). The Barthel Index was used to evaluate daily living activity. Pain was assessed by Mcgill Short Form Pain Questionnaire. The mean MIP was 63.28 ± 22.98 cmH2O and MEP was 80.97 ± 27.25 cmH2O in the preoperative period. On postoperative second day, these values were 43.06 ± 16.16 cmH2O for MIP and 59.00 ± 16.16 cmH2O for MEP. The mean 6MWT distance was 444.13 ± 80.65 m in preoperative measurement. On the second postoperative day 192,63 ± 144,02 m was found. A significant difference was found between preoperative and postoperative 2nd day measurements in respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity (p <0.05). 6MWT was found to have a very strong correlation with MİP (r=0,788, p=0,007), strong correlation with MEP (r=0,667, p=0,035) and correlation with TUG (r = -0.672, p = 0.033). In conclusion, functional capacity and respiratory muscle strength are severely affected in patients with different oncologic surgery. Key words: Oncological surgery, functional capacity, respiratory muscle strength.