OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of bronchial intubation for constant-pressure expanding ipsilateral lung on postoperative intractable atelectasis. METHODS: For this prospective study, we recruited 18 patients with pulmonary atelectasis who could not been relieved by bronchoscopic suctioning, closed thoracic drainage, backslap, blowing hall and other routine treatments for over a week. After bronchial intubation, ipsilateral lung was expanded with a constant pressure. And the therapeutic effect was evaluated by chest radiographic examination and auscultation at the following day. RESULTS: Collapsed lung tissue were examined in 15 patients (83.3%) after the first treatment and in 2 patients (11.1%) after twice inflation. And another case failed even after three times treatment. During the procedure, the vital signs of all patients were stable and no complication occurred. CONCLUSION: Constant-pressure expanding of ipsilateral lung during bronchial intubation is a safe and effective treatment for postoperative intractable atelectasis.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of bronchial intubation for constant-pressure expanding ipsilateral lung on postoperative intractable atelectasis. METHODS: For this prospective study, we recruited 18 patients with pulmonary atelectasis who could not been relieved by bronchoscopic suctioning, closed thoracic drainage, backslap, blowing hall and other routine treatments for over a week. After bronchial intubation, ipsilateral lung was expanded with a constant pressure. And the therapeutic effect was evaluated by chest radiographic examination and auscultation at the following day. RESULTS: Collapsed lung tissue were examined in 15 patients (83.3%) after the first treatment and in 2 patients (11.1%) after twice inflation. And another case failed even after three times treatment. During the procedure, the vital signs of all patients were stable and no complication occurred. CONCLUSION: Constant-pressure expanding of ipsilateral lung during bronchial intubation is a safe and effective treatment for postoperative intractable atelectasis.