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health advisory Hospital Doctor Yu 2007-11-8 19:08:14

Answers:

Where on earth did you hear that? Not true.

During general anesthesia, respiratory mechanics are altered. Most patients are placed on mechanical ventilation for the duration of the procedure. Anesthetic gases (the volatile halogenated ethers) all depress respiration, so we usually breathe for the patient. The gases themselves do not cause infection.

Post operative pneumonia is most likely to be caused by inadequate respiratory function following surgery. Patients are less likely to cough and more likely have shallow breathing. Combine that with living in a hospital full of germs, and you increase your risk of infection.

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"Post operative pneumonia is most likely to be caused by inadequate respiratory function following surgery. Patients are less likely to cough and more likely have shallow breathing"

The above answer is correct. After surgery, patients are usually given an Incentive Spirometer to help them take deep breaths to prevent post-op pneumonia. It is a team effort between Respiratory Therapy and Nursing to help the patient understand why it is so important to take deep breaths.

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