Physiotherapist administered, non-invasive ventilation to reduce postoperative pulmonary complications in high-risk patients following elective upper abdominal surgery; a before-and-after cohort implementation study

Abstract

Objectives: To (1) determine whether short, 30-minute sessions of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is associated with fewer postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) following elective high-risk upper abdominal surgery and (2) measure feasibility and safety of this intervention when delivered by physiotherapists. Design: Prospective, pre post cohort, observational, single-centre study. Setting: Primary referral hospital in Australia. Participants: A total of 182 consecutive high-risk elective upper abdominal surgery patients consisting of 101 pre cohort participants compared to 81 post cohort participants. Interventions: Both groups received standardised preoperative physiotherapy and early ..