management
Last reviewed 01/2018
Prevention is the best form of management. If postoperative atelactasis does occur then management is as follows:
- removal of impacted secretions by coughing, managed by physiotherapists, and involves
- active chest percussion and breathing exercises
- passive postural drainage
- ensure adequate analgesia, which may require an intercostal block in upper abdominal incisions
- if the condition is severe then a catheter can be passed into the bronchi and secretions directly aspirated via the nose or an endotracheal tube
- if pyrexia is persistent for more than 48 hours then there is a probable secondary chest infection:
- likely organism is pneumococcus so treat with augmentin
- if there was possible aspiration then treat also with metronidazole