What is the primary purpose of deep-breathing exercises after thoracic surgery?

Deep-breathing exercises after thoracic surgery are primarily aimed at expanding lung alveoli and preventing atelectasis. After surgery, patients are at a higher risk of developing atelectasis, which is the partial or complete collapse of the lung. This condition can result from shallow breathing or insufficient expansion of the lung tissue due to pain or surgical constraints.

By encouraging patients to take deep breaths, deep-breathing exercises help to fully inflate the alveoli, thereby enhancing ventilation and promoting optimal gas exchange. This action not only helps to keep the lungs open but also facilitates the clearance of secretions that could lead to infections or further respiratory complications.

Moreover, while preventing fluid accumulation and improving oxygen levels are important considerations in post-operative care, they are more indirect benefits of the primary goal of expanding alveoli and preventing atelectasis. Maintaining high blood flow is also critical, but it is not directly achieved through deep-breathing exercises, as those focus more on improving lung function rather than circulatory dynamics.