The Effect on Pulmonary Function after Abdominoplasty

ABSTRACT

Theoretically one might suggest the abdominoplasty can cause respiratory decompensation resulting from musculofascial plication, which reduces the respiratory reserve by decreasing intra-abdominal volume and diaphragmatic excursion. This prospective study was perfomed to evaluate the effect of abdominoplasty and the change of intraoperative Paw on the pulmonary function of 20 consecutive otherwise healthy subjects. The pulmonary function test was performed preoperatively, and repeated 2 months after the operation. Additionally, we monitored intraoperative Paw. Comparison of the pulmonary function test showed a significant decrease(p<0.001) in the mean forced vital capacity(FVC) and the mean forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1) throughout the study period. Postoperatively, the mean FVC decreased by 11.65% and the mean FEV1 decreased by 16.15%. The mean Paw increased by 6.6cmH2O(3-12cmH2O) by musculofascial plication. And we found that the decrease in FVC and FEV1 was significantly correlated with intraoperative changing of Paw in abdominoplasty(p<0.001). FVC and FEV1 could be decreased by abdominoplasty due to decreasing intra-abdominal volume and diaphragmatic excursion, but there was no respiratory symptom clinically in all patients 2 months after the operation. In conclusion, We found that the decrease in FVC and FEV1 after 2 months of abdominoplasty was significantly correlated with intraoperative Paw change during operation. The intraoperative Paw was increased to 12 cmH2O without any respiratory symptom in this study. We suggested that the increase in intraoperative Paw less than about 10cmH2O can not affect on respiratory function clinically.