Atelectasis

Basic Information

What is Atelectasis?

Collapse of part or all of one lung, preventing normal oxygen absorption.

Frequent signs and symptoms

Sudden, major collapse:

• Chest pain.
• Shortness of breath; rapid breathing.
• Shock (severe weakness, paleness of skin, rapid heartbeat).
• Dizziness.

Gradual collapse:

• Cough.
• Fever.
• Shortness of breath.
• No other symptoms.

Causes

Obstruction of small or large lung air passages by:

• Thick mucous plugs from infection or other disease, including cystic fibrosis.
• Tumors in the air passages.
• Tumors or blood vessels outside the air passages, causing pressure on airways.
• Inhaled objects, such as small toys or peanuts.
• Prolonged chest or abdominal surgery with general anesthetic.
• Chest injury or fractured ribs.
• Penetrating wound.
• Enlarged lymph glands.

Risk increases with

• Smoking.
• Illness that has lowered resistance or weakened the patient.
• Chronic obstructive lung disease, including emphysema and bronchiectasis.
• Use of drugs that depress alertness or consciousness, such as sedatives, barbiturates, tranquilizers or alcohol.

Preventive measures

• Force coughing and deep breathing every 1 to 2 hours after surgery with general anesthesia. Also change position often in bed, if possible.
• Increase fluid intake during lung illness or after surgery by mouth or intravenously to keep lung secretions loose.
• Keep small objects that might be inhaled away from young children (peanuts are notorious).

Expected outcomes

• Atelectasis is seldom life-threatening and usually resolves spontaneously.
• If atelectasis is caused by a mucous plug or inhaled foreign object, it is curable when the plug or object is removed. If it is caused by a tumor, the outcome depends on the nature of the tumor.

Possible complications

• Pneumonia.
• Small lung abscess.
• Permanent lung scars and collapsed lung tissue.

Atelectasis treatment

General measures

• Laboratory studies to measure oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood and X-rays of the chest.
• Surgery to remove tumors.
• Bronchoscopy to remove foreign objects or a mucous plug.
• Cooperate with requests to turn, cough and breathe deeply after surgery. Hold a pillow tightly against surgical incisions during the coughing exercises.
• Stop smoking.
• Learn to perform postural drainage after hospitalization. An inhalation therapist, nurse or doctor can demonstrate the technique.

Medications

• Antibiotics to fight infection that inevitably accompanies atelectasis.
• Pain relievers for minor pain.
• Don't take sedatives. They may contribute to a recurrence.

Activity

Resume your normal activities as soon as symptoms improve.

Diet

No special diet, but drink at least 8 glasses of water or other fluid daily to thin lung secretions.

Last updated 10 May 2016