An Observational Study for Knowing the Compliance of Patients Scheduled for Major Abdominal and Thoracic Cancer Surgeries in a Single Specialty Center

BACKGROUND: Peri-operative incentive spirometry (IS) helps in improving pulmonary function, facilitates sputum clearance and prevents unwanted postoperative pulmonary complications after major abdominal and thoracic surgery. In our hospital, all patients are instructed to practice IS before abdominal and thoracic surgeries so that they can perform it in the postoperative period effectively. However, many patients do not follow our advice. A few unfortunate patients land up with pulmonary complications as it becomes difficult to train them after surgery. AIMS: To determine the compliance rate of patients who were instructed to perform incentive spirometry preoperatively. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTINGS: Observational, single arm study in a single speciality centre. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After approval from hospital ethics committee the study was registered with Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI). 100 patients posted for major abdominal or thoracic cancer surgery were enrolled in the study. They were instructed to perform incentive spirometry(IS) in front of relatives, an information leaflet was provided to them and the spirometry effort was noted in ‘ml’. The effort was crossed checked on the day of surgery. Patients performing IS correctly with effort more or equal to that noted earlier were labelled as compliant. Others were labelled as non-compliant. The reason of non-compliance was to be determined using a questionnaire meant for patient and the accompanying family member. RESULTS: Out of 100, 26 patients were found to be non-compliant out of which 10 were males and 16 were female patients. 15 patients did not understand the instructions properly, 8 patients did not get enough time to practice, family members of 10 patients could not help the patient in performing and understanding IS, family members of 8 patients did not have adequate time for the patient. CONCLUSION: A non-compliance rate of 26% could be because patients and family members did not understand the seriousness of preoperative IS in spite of explaining and giving an information leaflet. The surgeries planned were major ones which require arrangement of finances, abstinence from work and other social issues like not having anybody at home with other family members, location of hospital far from the place they live. Involving respiratory therapist and nursing staff early during pre-anaesthesia check up could help in better understanding of the patient and family regarding benefits of IS.