Context:

Laparotomy is a surgery involving an incision in the abdominal wall to access the abdominal cavity. There is controversial data regarding the benefits of the implementation of early respiratory exercises in the prevention of pulmonary complications after laparotomy surgery.

Objective:

To examine the evidence about the effect of incentive spirometry in reducing respiratory complications in laparotomy's postoperative patients.

Methodology:

A systematic review, following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Multiple databases were searched: CINAHL Plus with Full Text, PubMed and Scopus, as well as gray literature for studies comparing adult patients submitted to laparotomy surgery with incentive spirometry prophylaxis in the postoperative versus adult patients submitted to abdominal surgery with no postoperative respiratory exercises and also Adult patients submitted to laparotomy abdominal surgery with incentive spirometry prophylaxis postoperative versus Adult patients submitted to abdominal surgery with any other type of postoperative respiratory exercises.

Results:

Of the 160 studies retrieved, 1 randomized prospective trial was included in this review. This study states that there’s no significant difference between the use of incentive spirometry and positive intermittent pressure.

Conclusion:

Although the efficacy of incentive spirometry was demonstrated, further research is needed to explore the incentive spirometry among patients submitted to abdominal surgery.

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