Table 1.

Physiotherapy protocol after extubation up to postoperative day 6 or hospital discharge

PO day	Physiotherapy protocol
1	CPAP with face mask for 20 minutes, reexpansion respiratory exercises, pursed lips breathing, incentive spirometry, huffing, coughing and transfer patient to an armchair
2	Same as PO day 1 walking around the patient's room
3 and 4	Respiratory reexpansion exercises, pursed lips breathing, incentive spirometry, a 60-meter walk and a walk down 17 stairs with the return upstairs using a lift (PO day 4)
5 and 6	Same as PO day 4, walk 120 meters and walk up a flight of stairs.

PO = postoperative; CPAP = continuous positive airway pressure.