Atelectasis is a complete or partial collapse of a lung or lobe of a lung develops when the tiny air sacs (alveoli) within the lung become deflated. It's a breathing complication after surgery. The amount of lung tissue involved in atelectasis is variable, depending on the cause. Atelectasis can make breathing difficult and lower oxygen particularly if lung disease is already present. Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the collapse.
Atelectasis is likely to occur when you're already in a hospital. However, seek medical attention right away if you have trouble breathing. Other conditions besides atelectasis can cause breathing difficulties and require an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment. If your breathing becomes increasingly difficult, seek emergency care. Obstructive atelectasis may be caused by Mucus plug, Foreign body, Narrowing of major airways from disease, Tumor in a major airway, Blood clot. Possible causes of nonobstructive atelectasis include Injury, Pleural effusion, Pneumonia, Pneumothorax, Tumor.
There may be no obvious signs or symptoms of atelectasis. One hundred eighty patients had pulmonary resection, 101 males and 79 females, and they were divided into three groups: I, no complications (112 patients, 62%); II, complications unrelated to lobar atelectasis (60 patients, 33%); and III, complications of lobar atelectasis (8 patients, 5%). Severe postoperative atelectasis occurs as lobar atelectasis in approximately 5 per cent of patients.