Abstract

The pulmonary changes after abdominal surgery commence as a reduction of functional residual capacity, mainly as a result of mechanical influences. Collapse of lung tissue is a later phenomenon which should be regarded as avoidable if suitable care is given to reduce intra-abdominal pressure and provide optional analgesia. Pulmonary disturbance does not occur after operations on sites other than the abdomen or thorax unless there has been either aspiration of foreign matter (including gastric contents) to the lungs or pulmonary thromboembolism.