Mechanical Insufflator-exsufflator in Patients After Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Operations With One-lung Ventilation

Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) are a common problem in patients undergoing surgery using one-lung invasive ventilation. Major pulmonary complications such as atelectasis, bronchospasm, and pneumonia can lead to respiratory failure. PPC are the main cause of mortality in the postoperative period in patients after thoracic surgery. The incidence of PPC ranges from 5% to 80%. Patients undergoing thoracic surgery are usually at high risk. Most often these are elderly people with concomitant diseases. Most of these patients are smokers, have occupational exposures, and are therefore at even greater risk of developing pulmonary complications. Part of their problem is due to poor baseline pulmonary function. Improving mucus production in the postoperative period using a mechanical insufflator-exsufflator may help reduce the incidence of complications.