Abstract
Key point
The major high-risk factors for developing PPC include: Advanced age Smoking Obesity Obstructive pulmonary disease
Educational aims
To highlight high- and low-risk factors for PPC.
To present overview data showing how the respiratory system is affected by different surgical interventions.
To present a model to determine which treatment is most suitable for each individual patient.
Summary Chest physiotherapy is common for patients undergoing different types of surgery in order to avoid PPC. However, do all patients require treatment, is it possible to predict those patients at risk and is it possible to select the optimal treatment for each patient? This paper aims to address these questions and to propose a model that can be utilised for determining how much physical therapy is needed.
- ©ERS 2005
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