Preoperative maneuvers to avert postoperative respiratory failure in elderly patients.
BACKGROUND
The elderly appear particularly vulnerable to pulmonary complications following surgical procedures.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to identify and assess the merit of various maneuvers employed to mitigate respiratory difficulties in elderly patients undergoing surgery.


RESULTS
The literature revealed evidence that diminishing sputum production with selective antibiotics and augmentation of sputum clearance with assisted coughing, postural drainage, and bronchodilators were deemed important. Futhermore, efforts to optimize nutritional status and eliminate tobacco and alcohol consumption are also felt to be of value in improving postsurgical outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
One significant aspect of this review was the apparent posity of recent work on this subject despite the profound magnitude of the demise related to postsurgical respiratory complications in elderly patients.
Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Tex., USA. dcgore@utmb.edu
Dennis C
DC
Gore
D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000379:methods; D003371:Cough; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000150:complications; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013183:Sputum; D013997:Time Factors