Lung function during anesthesia and respiratory insufficiency in the postoperative period: physiological and clinical implications.

This review covers the physiological and clinical implications of lung function during anesthesia and respiratory insufficiency in the postoperative period. We have divided it into 3 main sections: 1) lung function changes induced by anesthesia and surgery, in which the impact on pulmonary mechanics, ventilation/perfusion changes and gas exchange are examined; 2) physiological implications of postoperative respiratory function secondary to decreased alveolar ventilation, development of atelectasis, and interstitial lung edema; and 3) clinical implications of postoperative respiratory failure. In this last section we analyze the current therapeutic modalities available to reduce the incidence of postoperative respiratory failure, as well as related morbidity and mortality.