Verification of Ventilatory Muscle Strength
The preoperative assessment of inspiratory muscle strength (Maximum
Inspiratory Pressure (MIP)) was performed using an Indumed® analog
manovacuometer. During the evaluation, the patient was asked for a
maximum expiration until the residual volume and, then, a maximum and
prolonged inspiration until his Total Pulmonary Capacity. This test was
carried out with the unidirectional valve method, allowing flow through
a millimeter orifice in order to exclude the action of the buccinator
muscle, the test will be repeated three times, using the highest value
obtained as long as it was not the last.
Another aspect evaluated was the expiratory muscle strength (Maximum
Expiratory Pressure (MEP)), which was measured with the same device, but
changing the way it was performed. Initially, the patient was instructed
to perform a maximum inspiration until reaching his total pulmonary
capacity. Then, after the mask was positioned, a maximum expiration was
requested, until reaching the residual capacity, following the same rule
of MIP, using the highest value, except when this is the
last12.