Atelectasis following coronary artery bypass surgery (CAB) occurs in the majority of patients. To determine the importance of operative variables in the development of postoperative atelectasis and the incidence of phrenic nerve injury caused by topical cold cardioplegic solution, we studied 57 patients (53 male, four female) undergoing CAB. Their mean age, +/- SD, was 58 +/- 13 years. Transcut...

REVIEW QUESTION/OBJECTIVE The objective is to identify the effect of peak inspiratory pressure on the development of postoperative pulmonary complications.More specifically, the objective is to identify the effect of maintaining intraoperative peak inspiratory pressure less than or equal to 30 cmH2O compared with peak inspiratory pressure greater than 30 cmH2O on the incidence of postoperative ...

A 76-year-old male underwent a left upper lobectomy with wedge resection of the superior segment of the left lower lobe using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for non-small-cell lung cancer of the left upper lobe. He presented with shortness of breath, fever, and leukocytosis. Chest radiography showed atelectasis at the remaining left lower lobe. Bronchoscopy revealed narrowing of th...

The perioperative use and relevance of protective ventilation in surgical patients is being increasingly recognized. Obesity poses particular challenges to adequate mechanical ventilation in addition to surgical constraints, primarily by restricted lung mechanics due to excessive adiposity, frequent respiratory comorbidities (i.e. sleep apnea, asthma), and concerns of postoperative respiratory ...