Evaluation of the postoperative effects of abdominal breathing exercises before laparoscopic cholecystectomy operations

Postoperative pain management is important for patient satisfaction, rapid recovery and early discharge of patients. Abdominal breathing exercises increase the effectiveness of the diaphragm muscle, which is called the main muscle of breathing, allowing deeper and slower breathing. Thus, the respiratory workload is reduced and the work of the cardiorespiratory system is positively affected. Abdominal breathing exercises can reduce postoperative pain through cardiorespiratory effects. According to this idea, we investigated the effectiveness of preoperative abdominal breathing exercises on postoperative pain. A total of 70 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy under elective conditions were included in the study. Heart rate (KTA), systolic blood pressure (SKB), diastolic blood pressure (DKB), severity of nausea, numerical rating scale (NRS) value of pain, pulse oximeter and oxygen saturation (SpO2) values of 35 patients who did abdominal breathing exercise and 35 patients who were not included in the exercise program were compared at the postoperative 20th minute, 1st, 2nd, 6th, 12th, and 24th hours. Total analgesia consumption during the first 24 hours, first mobilization time and discharge time of patients were evaluated with the patientderived analgesia (PCA) device. The anxiety scores of the patients at the first and last preoperative interview were also recorded. There was a significant difference in total tramadol consumption during postoperative 24 hours between groups (p=0.030). The increase of preoperative anxiety score was significant in the chest breathing group (p=0,018). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of numerical rating scale (NRS) values (p>0.05), mobilization time (p=0.062) and discharge time (p=0.377). In conclusion, in this study, it was found that abdominal breathing exercises applied preoperatively in patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy operation had a positive effect on preoperative anxiety and postoperative analgesic consumption. Keywords: pain, anxiety, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, abdominal breathing, chest breathing, analgesia consumption