Evaluating the Impact of Preoperative Respiratory Exercises on Post-Surgical Pulmonary Outcomes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose: Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) remain a leading cause of prolonged hospitalization and increased morbidity and mortality following surgery.To evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative respiratory exercises in reducing postoperative pulmonary complications and hospital stay duration compared with standard care.Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 126 patients, allocated into an intervention group (preoperative respiratory exercises) and a control group (standard care).Data were collected using a structured data sheet and analyzed using the Chi-square test for categorical variables and independent t-tests for continuous variables.Results: The standard care group showed higher incidences of PPCs: atelectasis (12.7%), hypoxia (20.6%), and pneumonia (6.3%), compared with the intervention group (7.9%, 3.2%, and 3.2%, respectively).Preoperative SpO₂ levels were comparable between groups (p > 0.40), while postoperative SpO₂ was significantly higher in the intervention group (95.9%) than in the control group (94.7%) (p = 0.045).The mean hospital stay was significantly shorter in the intervention group (5.4 days) compared to the control group (13.1 days) (p < 0.001).Chi-square analysis confirmed a significant association between preoperative respiratory exercises and reduced PPCs (p < 0.001).Conclusion: Preoperative respiratory exercises significantly reduce postoperative pulmonary complications and hospital stay duration.Incorporating these exercises into pre-surgical protocols can enhance patient recovery and support evidence-based perioperative care.