F-034KINESIOLOGY TAPING IMPROVES RECOVERY OF VENTILATORY FUNCTION AFTER THORACOTOMY LOBECTOMY FOR LUNG CANCER

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of chest Kinesiology Taping (KT) on ventilatory function after pulmonary lobectomy performed via open thoracotomy. Methods: Between October 2014 and November 2016, we enrolled in a singlecentre, prospective, randomized, controlled study, 51 lung cancer patients (male, 67%; mean age, 67±10 SD) who had undergone lung lobectomy via lateral thoracotomy. Standard postoperative analgesia was administered in both groups, with supplemental analgesia boluses at request. Exclusion criteria were: >24 h postoperative ICU treatment, recent thoracic trauma, neoadjuvant therapy, previous KT application, patient refusal. On postoperative day (POD) 1, patients were randomized to KT group (kinesiology taping; n = 26) or placebo control group (placement of usual tape mimicking KT in colour and shape; n = 25), and the respective tape was applied to the chest by a dedicated physiotherapist. To evaluate ventilatory function, in all patients the inspiratory volume was measured with a standard incentive spirometer (Coach2VR) by the physiotherapist at 9 am, sequentially: on the day before surgery, on POD 1 (twice: before and immediately after tape application) and on POD 2, 5 and 8. Results: Preoperatively the mean inspiratory volume was similar in KT group and in control group (1878±477 ml and 1727±704 ml; P=0.386). On POD 1, before tape application the percent reduction of inspiratory volume did not significantly differ in the 2 groups; however, immediately after tape application in KT group the inspiratory volume significantly improved (P=0.037) remaining significantly greater than in controls, until day 5. Only minor postoperative complications occurred among all randomized patients, unrelated to tape application. Conclusions: Chest KT significantly improved the recovery of early postoperative inspiratory volume loss after lung lobectomy by thoracotomy.