Early and Interdisciplinary Physiotherapy in a Patient in the Intensive Care Unit with a Bronchopulmonary Fistula after Thoracic Fenestration: A Case Report

Abstract

The aim of this study is to present the effects of the medical team’s therapy with particular focus on early physiotherapy in a patient subjected to elective pneumonectomy due to pleural empyema and chest fenestration. Our patient was 48 years old and underwent an elective pneumonectomy due to pleural empyema and cicatrization atelectasis as a result of complications. A lack of lung recoil after chest fenestration was the indication to transfer the patient to the intensive care unit (ICU) from the operating theater. Respective rehabilitation is necessary to restore the function of the respiratory system. It should be an integral part of the treatment plan, must be implemented in a timely manner, and should continue until the patient’s full recovery. This paper presents the effects of the medical team’s work with the emphasis on early physiotherapy in a patient in the ICU that resulted in a shorter hospitalization and a full return to functional capacity.