[Perioperative use of noninvasive ventilation].

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Noninvasive mask ventilation is in some cases of respiratory failure the treatment of choice. It is used in cases of acute respiratory failure. We report about perioperative application of noninvasive mask ventilation.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

We treated 25 patients with respiratory failure pre- and/or postoperative with noninvasive mask ventilation.

RESULTS

The success rate in all patients was 68%, but it was very different in respect to the varying causes of respiratory failure.

CONCLUSION

With noninvasive mask ventilation it is possible to avoid in some patients with acute postoperative respiratory failure complications who are referred to intubation. In patients with postoperative decompensation of chronic respiratory failure postoperative treatment becomes easier, in extraordinary cases the method makes surgery possible.