Effect of lung flute on airway clearance and respiratory function in cardiac valve replacement surgery: A Randomized controlled trial.

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the lung flute as an adjunct to conventional chest physiotherapy in improving airway clearance and respiratory function in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement surgery. Post operative patients are at high risk of pulmonary complications such as atelectasis and retained secretions due to general anesthesia, mechanical ventilation, and reduced chest expansion, A total 40 hemodynamically stable patients aged 40-70 years will be recruited and randomly allocated into two groups: a control group receiving conventional chest physiotherapy and an experimental group receiving Lung flute along with standard postoperative care. Interventions will be administered twice daily during the acute postoperative phase. Outcome measures include sputum metrics(volume and color) , respiratory parameters assessed using incentive spirometer and pulse oximeter, and functional capacity measured by NYHA functional classification. The study aims to determine whether the lung flute provides additional benefits in enhancing airway clearance and respiratory recovery following valve replacement surgery.