Mechanical ventilation in the postoperative period

Postoperative ventilatory failure may be caused by anesthesia, pre- existent disease, nature of the operation, or a combination of these variables. Diseases that most often precipitate the need for perioperative ventilation are cardiac, major vascular, pulmonary, and neurologic diseases. Thus, these organ systems should be thoroughly assessed perioperatively to anticipate the need for postoperative ventilation. Choice of conventional or alternate modes of ventilatory support must be based on knowledge of the patient's physiology and how it will interact with physiologic changes induced by the ventilator.