ABSTRACT
Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are a major cause of morbidity, mortality, and prolonged hospital stay in the neurosurgical population with an incidence of about 23" in elective intracranial procedures. They manifest mainly as pneumonia, bronchitis, atelectasis, and respiratory failure. Pneumonia is a common PPC in the neurosurgical population. It is defined as an inflammatory condition of the lungs due to bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. Prolonged endotracheal intubation and duration of ventilation significantly increase the incidence of pneumonia. Lung atelectasis occurs in the neurosurgical population due to respiratory depression and impaired consciousness leading to aspiration. Acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute lung injury are frequently observed in the neurosurgical population. The strategies that may be helpful for preventing postoperative respiratory complications include thromboprophylaxis by mechanical and pharmacological means. Early tracheostomy should be considered in patients with a high cervical spinal cord injury and in those with a need for prolonged duration of mechanical ventilation.
