Chest
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Continuous positive airway pressure effect on functional residual capacity, vital capacity and its subdivisions.
Thirty-four otherwise healthy patients having to undergo elective upper abdominal surgery were randomly assigned to two equal groups. In the treatment group, constant positive airway pressure (CPAP) with an expiratory pressure of 12 cm H2O was applied at one hour following extubation, and at daily intervals for the first five days following surgery for a continuous period of three hours. ⋯ All patients were given postoperative physiotherapy. In patients who received postoperative CPAP with an end-expiratory pressure of 12 cm H2O, marked normalization of pulmonary function was noted.
-
Although pulmonary disability is usually minimal following total sternectomy, the potential for remote complications exists. We present a case of severe respiratory failure resulting from simple rib fractures occurring two years after sternectomy for sternal osteomyelitis. Respiratory failure resulted from flail chest due to the combination of acute rib fracture and the lack of anterior fixation of the thoracic cage.