[NONINVASIVE VENTILATION IN THE POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD]

Acute respiratory failure is relatively common postoperative complication, occurs frequently in patients with preexisting compromised respiratory function and/or undergoing major thoracoabdominal procedures. Although endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation is still considered the cornerstone for the treatment of patients with acute respiratory failure, literature data have shown that mortality of these patients is closely associated to complications of intubation and mechanical ventilation. Therefore, the goal is to prevent complications and if possible to avoid endotracheal intubation. Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is a form of mechanical support that does not require endotracheal intubation and is nowadays often used in prophylactic and therapeutic purposes in surgical patients with acute respiratory failure. In this article we give a brief overview of the indications and limitations of non-invasive ventilation in perioperative period.