Non-invasive ventilation in postoperative period: Non-invasive ventilation

Abstract

Anaesthesia, postoperative pain and surgery will induce changes in respiratory system: hypoxaemia, pulmonary volume decrease and atelectasis associated with a restrictive syndrome and a diaphragm dysfunction. Maintenance of adequate oxygenation in the postoperative period is of major importance, especially when pulmonary complications such as acute respiratory failure (ARF) occur. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) refers to techniques allowing respiratory support without the need of endotracheal intubation. Two types of NIV are commonly used: noninvasive continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV). NIV may be an important tool to prevent (prophylactic) or to treat ARF avoiding intubation (treatment). Evidence suggest that NIV is proven to be an effective strategy to reduce intubation rates, nosocomial infections, intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay, morbidity and mortality in the postoperative patients.