Postoperative intermittent positive-pressure breathing treatments: Physiological considerations

Abstract

Intermittent positive-pressure breathing (IPPB) is an accepted aspect of the postoperative care of patients having thoracic surgery. Analysis of the physiology of normal respiration and IPPB demonstrated no difference between an IPPB breath and a normal breath of the same tital volume with respect to alveolar expansion. Clinical studies revealed that, although IPPB increased the depth of respiration, verbal encouragement of the patients to breathe deeply was just as effective. The best results were obtained with incentive spirometry, a less costly and more convenient technique than IPPB.