Description

Lobectomy is a common surgical procedure performed for the treatment of various pulmonary conditions, particularly lung cancer. Although effective, the procedure is often associated with postoperative respiratory complications including mucus retention, reduced lung volumes, impaired ventilation, and difficulty breathing. These complications can prolong hospital stay, increase the risk of infection, and negatively affect functional recovery.

Respiratory physiotherapy plays an important role in preventing and managing these complications. Oscillatory Positive Expiratory Pressure (OPEP) devices are widely used to facilitate airway clearance by generating positive expiratory pressure and oscillations during exhalation. These mechanisms help mobilize retained secretions, improve ventilation, enhance lung expansion, and support overall pulmonary recovery.

Acapella and Flutter are two commonly used OPEP devices. Both have demonstrated beneficial effects on mucus clearance, pulmonary function, oxygenation, and symptom management in patients with respiratory disorders and postoperative conditions. Previous studies have reported improvements in respiratory parameters and functional outcomes following the use of these devices as part of pulmonary rehabilitation programs.

Despite the growing use of OPEP devices in clinical practice, evidence directly comparing Acapella and Flutter in patients recovering from lobectomy remains limited. Most available studies have focused on chronic respiratory diseases or evaluated these devices independently rather than comparing their effectiveness in a postoperative population. Furthermore, limited information is available regarding their relative effects on secretion clearance, dyspnea, arterial blood gases, and lung function after lobectomy. Therefore, this study is designed to address this gap and provide evidence regarding the comparative effectiveness of Acapella and Flutter devices in postoperative pulmonary rehabilitation.