Atelectasis is a condition where a lung partially or completely collapses, limiting the oxygen supply to the body. It can be caused by surgery, trauma, mucus buildup, or congenital defects. Treatment focuses on ensuring oxygen supply before addressing the root cause.
Atelectasis is a medical condition characterized by the partial or complete collapse of a lung, affecting the patient’s ability to breathe. Left untreated, atelectasis can be fatal, as oxygen is a vital requirement for a healthy body. There are numerous causes of atelectasis and each cause requires a different treatment approach; treatment usually focuses on making sure the patient gets enough oxygen before the root cause of the problem is addressed and hopefully fixed.
This condition affects the alveoli, the tiny air sacs that line the lungs. These sacs are very flexible, allowing them to inflate to absorb oxygen and then deflate, pushing the oxygen through the blood-rich tissues of the lungs so it can be transported to other parts of the body. When the alveoli cannot inflate, the lung can begin to collapse, preventing the lung from inflating with air and limiting the available oxygen supply to the patient. Atelectasis can also occur in patients who don’t have enough pulmonary surfactant, the material that reduces the surface tension of the alveoli so they don’t collapse after the patient breathes.
One of the most common causes of atelectasis is surgery, and this is one reason why the airways are monitored very closely after surgery. Smokers are also encouraged to stop smoking for six to eight weeks before surgery because they are at greater risk. Atelectasis can also be caused by trauma to the lungs, a buildup of mucus, or an obstruction such as a foreign body or tumor.
In congenital atelectasis, a baby is born without the ability to inflate one or both lungs. This condition can occur especially in premature babies, because their bodies are not fully developed and they typically require medications to help the lungs build up surfactant as the lungs are inflated with the assistance of a ventilator, which helps the baby breathe. This condition is sometimes referred to as infantile respiratory distress syndrome and can also occur in infants with genetic conditions that cause decreased surfactant production.
In cases where the entire lung has collapsed, a ventilator may be required to breathe for the patient. In other cases, the airways may be cleared with suction to remove blockages, clearing airflow and allowing the alveoli to inflate on their own. In the case of a cause such as a tumor or trauma, surgery may be needed to correct the problem so the patient can breathe normally.
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