Role of the physical therapist in the immediate postoperative period of liver transplantation

Abstract

Liver transplantation has been the most suitable choice for the treatment of end-stage liver disease. And it is in the postoperative period of liver tx that the monitoring of respiratory complications guarantees survival after this procedure. The objective of this study is to evaluate the role of physical therapy in the immediate postoperative period of liver transplantation. Methodology: This is a literature review with publications from 2012 to 2022, including original scientific and opinion articles referring to liver transplantation, upper abdominal surgery, laparotomy, and physical therapy. The reviews on the topic and the reference list of all articles considered important were consulted with the aim of new articles for inclusion. Studies in children and literature reviews were excluded. Result: after analyzing 20 articles, it was observed the importance of a preoperative physiotherapeutic evaluation for a better performance in the possible pulmonary complications in the postoperative period of liver transplantation. Conclusion: Physiotherapy is effective in the treatment of respiratory complications in the immediate postoperative period of liver transplantation.