This study examines the effects of coughing exercises and incentive spirometry (IS) on lung function and recovery in children who undergo heart surgery. The main goals are to see:
How coughing exercises and IS affect breathing and lung function after surgery? How these exercises influence overall recovery after surgery? Children who participate will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: coughing exercises, IS, or standard care. Those in the exercise groups will perform their assigned breathing exercises every 3 hours for the first 3 days after surgery. Daily check-ups will be conducted to monitor their progress, lung function, and oxygen levels.
The study will measure breathing ability, oxygen levels, and recovery milestones to find out which method is most effective in preventing lung complications and helping children recover faster.
Children aged 6 to 18 years scheduled for elective cardiac surgery.
Postoperative extubation within 24 hours and judged clinically stable to begin respiratory therapy.
Hemodynamically stable.
Pre-existing moderate-to-severe chronic lung disease requiring baseline oxygen therapy.
Neuromuscular disorders significantly impairing cough/inspiratory effort.
Emergency surgery, ongoing major bleeding.
Prolonged mechanical ventilation >72 hours or tracheostomy on admission.