Evaluation of the effectiveness of preoperative outpatient pulmonary preparation in patients undergoing esophageal surgery

Abstract Introduction: Preoperative inspiratory muscle training (IMT) can minimize the occurrence of complications after esophagectomy. Objective: To evaluate the effects of preoperative IMT in patients undergoing esophageal surgery by determining respiratory muscle strength (PImax and PEmax), pulmonary function (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC) and functional capacity by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Methods: Twenty-two patients were randomized into two groups: a control group (CG; n = 10) and an intervention group (IG; n = 12). Only IG performed IMT for a minimum period of 2 weeks. The assessments were conducted pre- and post-surgery. Results: An increase of PImax was observed in IG, but not in CG, in the second preoperative assessment (p = 0.014). Assessment on postoperative day 1 showed a reduction in maximal respiratory pressures in the two groups, but the reduction was more marked in IG (p