Perioperative respiratory care of the patient undergoing upper abdominal surgery

The respiratory system is invariably affected during and after abdominal surgery. In high-risk patients, this may result in the development of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC). Several pulmonary and nonpulmonary risk factors have been identified as good predictors for PPC. This article summarizes the treatments that may help prevent the development of PPC in patients undergoing upper abdominal surgery.