Postop pulmonary complications occur in approximately 6% of patients after major abdominal operations and
It includes pneumonia/infection, respiratory failure requiring prolonged ventilation, exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lobar/parenchymal collapse with or without associated effusion.
More recently, standard patient care protocols (e.g., Cough) have been developed to decrease the risk of pulmonary complications, which include incentive spirometry, coughing and deep breathing, oral care (brushing teeth and using mouthwash), elevating the head of bed,
and getting out of bed three times a day.
