Role of Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation in Pain and Pulmonary Function in Patients after Bariatric Surgery.

Background: Changes in lifestyle, a carbohydrate-rich diet, and decreased physical activity are part of the context that led to an obesity pandemic. Treating obesity is a task that requires multidisciplinary care; however, in many cases, conventional therapy has no effect, requiring surgical intervention. This, in turn, is not without risks and causes important changes in lung function. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of electroanalgesia through conventional transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on the pain and lung function in the postoperative period of bariatric surgery. Methods: This is a controlled and blinded clinical trial with 66 subjects who underwent bariatric surgery. The participants were randomized into 2 groups as follows: an intervention group treated with TENS (n = 33) and a placebo group (n = 33). The participants underwent 4 TENS sessions, and the effect on pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS pain). Lung function was measured by spirometry. Results: There were no differences between the 2 groups regarding time of surgery and time of mechanical ventilation. Compared to placebo, TENS reduced pain in the intervention group (p = 0.001). Regarding the effect of electroanalgesia on pulmonary function, the spirometric parameters were similar between the groups. However, regarding muscle strength between the preoperative and postoperative periods, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) was maintained in the intervention group and decreased in the placebo group (p = 0.03). Compared with that in the intervention group, the respiratory rate in the placebo group increased during the application of TENS (p = 0.003). Conclusion: Electroanalgesia reduces pain in patients who underwent bariatric surgery. Importantly, in these patients, the MIP is maintained between the preoperative and postoperative periods. However, electroanalgesia does not contribute to improvements in spirometric data. This trial is registered with NCT04800640.

Reference Value for the Distance Walked in the Six-Minute Walk Test in Obese Brazilian Men in the Preoperative Period of Bariatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Obesity has several effects on the mechanics of the rib cage that may impair the exercise performance of obese individuals and therefore impact the assessment of surgical risk. This study aimed to establish a reference value for the 6-minute walk distance (6 MWD) in obese Brazilian men in the preoperative period of bariatric surgery that considers the effect of lung function. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study in which 104 obese men underwent the six-minute walk test (6 MWT) before bariatric surgery. They also underwent the spirometry test and respiratory muscle strength measurement before the 6 MWT. RESULTS: The 6 MWD was correlated with age (r = -0.388, p=0.0005), weight (r = -0.365, p=0.0007), height (r = 0.285, p=0.022), body mass index (BMI) (r = -0.543, p < 0.0001), forced vital capacity (FVC) (r = 0.472, p < 0.0001), peak expiratory flow (r = 0.253, p=0.031), and maximal inspiratory pressure (r = 0.313, p=0.017). In the stepwise forward regression analysis, BMI, FVC, and age were the only variables that independently predicted the 6 MWD and explained 40% of its variability. The reference equation proposed for obese Brazilian men is 6 MWD (m) = 570.5 - (3.984 × BMIkg/m2) + (1.093 × FVC%predicted) - (0.836 × ageyrs). CONCLUSION: In this sample of obese Brazilian men, lung function contributed to poor performance in the 6 MWT. In these individuals, BMI, FVC, and age were the variables that composed the reference equation for the 6 MWD. Thus, in several clinical settings, such as in the evaluation before bariatric surgery, pulmonary function data are important to determine the reference value for the 6 MWD.

The role of electroanalgesia in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the electroanalgesia as an effective method in the reduction of pain and consequent improvement in lung function in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. METHODS: During the period of one year were studied 30 patients undergoing surgery for treatment of the ischemic coronary disease. After randomization, 15 patients were allocated in the study group (that received electroanalgesia) and 15 patients from the controlled group (placebo). From the 1st until the 5th postoperative day were realized two applications of electroanalgesia or the placebo current, according the group where the patient was allocate. RESULTS: There was a reduction in the levels of pain in the study group compared to the controlled group, evidenced by the value P<0.05; however, there isn't evidence of statistical difference of the spirometric variables between them. CONCLUSION: The group that did electroanalgesia presented reduction in the intensity of postoperative pain, which however did not mean improvement in respiratory function of these patients.

Papel da eletroanalgesia na função respiratória de pacientes submetidos à operação de revascularização do miocárdio / The role of electroanalgesia in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a eletroanalgesia como método eficaz na diminuição da dor e consequente melhora da capacidade pulmonar em pacientes submetidos a operação de revascularização do miocárdio. MÉTODOS: No período de um ano foram estudados 30 pacientes submetidos a operação para tratamento da doença coronariana isquêmica. Após a randomização, 15 pacientes foram alocados no grupo estudo (que receberam eletroanalgesia) e 15 pacientes no grupo controle (placebo). No pré-operatório todos os doentes foram entrevistados e realizaram espirometria. Do primeiro ao quinto dia de pós-operatório foram realizadas duas aplicações diárias de eletroanalgesia ou de corrente placebo, conforme o grupo em que o paciente estivesse alocado, e no quinto dia, nova espirometria. RESULTADOS: Todos os pacientes evoluíram satisfatoriamente, sem complicações inerentes à operação de revascularização do miocárdio. Verificou-se que a cirurgia reduziu os valores espirométricos de ambos os grupos (P= 0,00). Os resultados encontrados demonstraram também redução nos níveis de dor no grupo estudo quando comparado ao grupo controle. Este por sua vez não repercutiu em melhora da função pulmonar como resultado da aplicação da TENS quando comparado ao grupo controle (P>0,05). CONCLUSÃO: O grupo que realizou eletroanalgesia apresentou redução da intensidade da dor pós-operatória o que não implicou, contudo, na melhora da função respiratória de tais pacientes

OBJECTIVE: To assess the electroanalgesia as an effective method in the reduction of pain and consequent improvement in lung function in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. METHODS: During the period of one year were studied 30 patients undergoing surgery for treatment of the ischemic coronary disease. After randomization, 15 patients were allocated in the study group (that received electroanalgesia) and 15 patients from the controlled group (placebo). From the 1st until the 5th postoperative day were realized two applications of eletroanalgesia or the placebo current, according the group where the patient was allocate. RESULTS: There was a reduction in the levels of pain in the study group compared to the controlled group, evidenced by the value P<0.05; however, there isn't evidence of statistical difference of the spirometric variables between them. CONCLUSION: The group that did eletroanalgesia presented reduction in the intensity of postoperative pain, which however did not mean improvement in respiratory function of these patients