PREVENTION OF VENTILATOR-ASSOCIATED COMPLICATIONS IN PULMONARY AND AIRWAY SURGERY
Keywords:
ventilator-associated complications, pulmonary surgery, airway surgery, infection prevention, perioperative care, ventilator-associated pneumoniaAbstract
Ventilator-associated complications remain a significant concern in pulmonary and airway surgery, contributing to increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stay, and higher healthcare costs. Effective prevention strategies are essential to improve patient outcomes and reduce postoperative complications. This article reviews the current approaches to preventing VACs, including proper ventilator management, aseptic techniques, perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis, patient positioning, and early mobilization. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based protocols and multidisciplinary strategies that minimize infection risk, improve pulmonary function, and enhance overall postoperative recovery. Implementation of these preventive measures can significantly reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia and other related complications, leading to better clinical outcomes and improved patient safety.
References
1. Klompas M., Branson R., Eichenwald E.C., Greene L.R., Howell M.D., Lee G., Magill S., Maragakis L.L., Priebe G.P., Speck K. Strategies to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia in acute care hospitals: 2014 update. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2014;35(8):915–936.
2. Torres A., Niederman M.S., Chastre J., Ewig S., Fernandez-Vandellos P., Hanberger H., Kollef M., Levy M.M., Lipman J., Luna C.M., Martin-Loeches I., Restrepo M.I., Rello J., Schuetz P., Wunderink R.G., Wunderink R. International ERS/ESICM/ESCMID/ALAT guidelines for the management of hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Eur Respir J. 2017;50:1700582.
3. Bonten M.J.M., Kollef M.H., Hall J.B. Risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia: from epidemiology to patient management. Clin Chest Med. 2006;27(4): 583–595.
4. Chastre J., Fagon J.Y. Ventilator-associated pneumonia. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2002;165:867–903.
5. Muscedere J., Dodek P., Keenan S., Fowler R., Cook D., Heyland D.K. Comprehensive evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for ventilator-associated pneumonia: prevention. J Crit Care. 2008;23(1):126–137.
6. Munshi L., Del Sorbo L., Adhikari N.K., Hodgson C., Wunsch H., Meade M., Gajic O., Pham T., Fan E. Ventilator-associated pneumonia and mechanical ventilation: evidence-based prevention strategies. Lancet Respir Med. 2015;3:655–668.
7. Kalil A.C., Metersky M.L., Klompas M., Muscedere J., Sweeney D.A., Palmer L.B., Napolitano L.M., O’Grady N.P., Bartlett J.G., Carratala J., Davies H., Dellinger R.P., Levine D.P., Luna C.M., Niederman M.S., Torres A., Masur H., Carr T.F. Management of adults with hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia: 2016 clinical practice guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Thoracic Society. Clin Infect Dis. 2016;63:e61–e111.


