Zibrak J D, O'Donnell C R
Department of Medicine, New England Deaconess Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Clin Chest Med. 1993 Jun;14(2):227-36.
Atelectasis, hypoxemia, pneumonia, and respiratory failure are pulmonary complications that can follow surgical procedures. This article discusses controversies surrounding the use of preoperative pulmonary function testing to identify high-risk surgical candidates. Physiologic assessments based upon the nature of the contemplated procedure are recommended.
