Impact of weight reduction surgery on static and dynamic lung volumes

BACKGROUND: Obesity could affect many functions of the body systems, particularly respiratory system. Effect of obesity on respiratory system leads to an impairment in pulmonary function tests which is represented by a decrease in lung volumes and capacities, therefore obstructive or restrictive pulmonary diseases may develop. The recent study was conducted to investigate and assess the impact of weight loss by surgery on static and dynamic lung volumes (pulmonary function tests) and the improvement in co morbidities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 68 morbid obese patients, 36 females and 32 males. The patients were with age range 24–56 years, BMI≥ 40 kg/m(2)or≥35 kg/m(2) with co morbidities. Pulmonary volumes and function tests of all patients were measured before weight loss surgery and one year after the surgery. RESULT: The results showed a significant reduction in the body weight (p < 0.05), with an improvement in co morbidities. Pulmonary volumes ERV,IRV,TLC, FRC and RV were significantly changed one year after surgery as well as there were significant increases in the mean values of the dynamic volumes such as FEV1,FEV1%,FEF50%, PEF and MVV.(p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: loss of excess body weight by bariatric surgery resulted in a significant improvement in co morbidities and function of respiratory system represented by significant changes in both static and dynamic lung volumes …