POSTOPERATIVE ATELECTASIS AND PNEUMONIA

Postoperative pulmonary complications, specifically atelectasis and pn eumonia, are the leading cause of postoperative morbidity and death. I t is crucial that the clinician have a thorough understanding of the p athophysiology, risk factors, and scientific basis for currently used respiratory interventions to tailor the patient's care in the preopera tive, intraoperative, and postoperative settings. Given the changing h ealthcare environment and increasing economic constraints, all respira tory interventions must be reevaluated for use in patient care, keepin g in mind the factors of scientific basis, patient needs, appropriate utilization, and quality patient outcomes.