Changes in breathing pattern and thoracoabdominal motion after bariatric surgery: a longitudinal study.

This study evaluated the breathing pattern of 30 obese patients [32 ± 9 years old; body mass index (BMI): 42.72 ± 4.10 kg/m(2)] before and after bariatric surgery and compared them with 30 control individuals (31 ± 8 years old, BMI: 21.99 ± 2.22 kg/m(2)). Measurements were performed using calibrated respiratory inductive plethysmography. Six months after bariatric surgery, obese patients exhibited a significant reduction in tidal volume (V(T)), minute ventilation (V(E)) and inspiratory duty cycle (T(I)/T(TOT)) compared with pre-surgical values. The control group had a higher breathing frequency, V(E) and phase angle (PhAng). There were no significant differences in V(T)/T(I), percentage of rib cage motion (%RC) or abdominal motion (%AB). Obese patients exhibited changes in their breathing pattern and asynchrony after bariatric surgery without any changes in thoracoabdominal motion. Certain aspects of the breathing pattern of obese patients became more similar to those of the controls after surgery.