title: Postoperative atelectasis and pneumonia.
abstract: Postoperative pulmonary complications, specifically atelectasis and pneumonia, are the leading cause of postoperative morbidity and death. It is crucial that the clinician have a thorough understanding of the pathophysiology, risk factors, and scientific basis for currently used respiratory interventions to tailor the patient's care in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative settings. Given the changing healthcare environment and increasing economic constraints, all respiratory interventions must be reevaluated for use in patient care, keeping in mind the factors of scientific basis, patient needs, appropriate utilization, and quality patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary and Critical Care Division, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Brooks-Brunn
mesh_terms: D001945:Breathing Exercises; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013147:Spirometry