A controlled study using routine intermittent positive pressure breathing in the post-surgical patient.

Intermittent positive pressure breathing with oxygen (hereinafter referred to as I.P.P.B.) has rapidly gained wide clinical use in a variety of cardio-pulmonary diseases. Well established as of value in treating some of these patients in the preand post-operative state, its “routine― use in the post-operative patient has also been advocated by some as a measure to prevent pulmonary complications.―2 The purpose of this controlled study was to evaluate the “routine― use of I.P.P.B. in the patient subjected to upper-abdominal surgery in an effort to clarify its true value in reducing post-operative complications. It was also hoped to determine if I.P.P.B. reduces discomfort and pain by increasing confi dence in deep breathing, secondarily affecting ambulation time and total hospital stay.