Manejo preoperatorio de pacientes con enfermedades respiratorias crónicas

Abstract

Chronic respiratory disease is the 3 rd leading cause of death in Chile and its prevalence is increasing significantly in the world, so it is very common that we find patients with these pathologies undergoing elective surgical procedures. Perioperative complications are more frequent in these patients than in the general population, so it is essential adequate preoperative evaluation and management in them. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major predictor of postoperative complications; therefore preoperative bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids are indicated in patients with this disease who will undergo elective surgery, particularly related to lung cancer. Likewise, COPD patients who will undergo coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) should receive oral or intramuscular corticosteroids preoperatively. Smoking is an independent risk factor for developing postoperative respiratory complications in thoracic surgery, so patients should stop this habit at least 4 weeks before elective surgery in order to significantly reduce such complications. A poorly controlled asthma is a specific risk factor for developing postoperative pulmonary complications, therefore these patients should be treated preoperatively with inhaled bronchodilators exclusive if they have mild asthma, bronchodilators associated with inhaled corticosteroids in the case of a moderate asthma, and inhaled bronchodilators associated to inhaled and oral corticosteroids, if they have severe asthma.