POSTOPERATIVE MASSIVE ATELECTASIS

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Abstract
In a previous paper,1evidence was presented which indicated that the posture of the patient both during the operation and in the early postoperative period influenced the localization of postoperative massive atelectasis. It is our purpose in this paper to study the influence of variations in respiratory volume on the development of postoperative massive atelectasis. There are now available excellent papers covering the incidence and the clinical syndrome of this condition. Many etiologic factors have been proposed but no primary cause has been found. We ourselves believe that the process is initiated by a nervous reflex, probably largely vasomotor, which results in a narrowing of the lumen in the peripheral bronchioles by venous engorgement, swelling of the mucous membrane, and the elaboration of a tenacious secretion. Whether a common factor always initiates the reflex is uncertain, and we have felt that several secondary factors contributed to the completion, the

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