Postoperative and posttraumatic pneumonia

Insufficient pulmonary ventilation, poor diaphragmatic activity, impaired or suppressed cough reflexes, bronchospasm and dehydration can cause bronchial secretions to remain, leading to atelectasis and subsequent lung infections. Such infections are more common after chest or abdominal surgery. The incidence of pneumonia after inhalation anesthesia and spinal anesthesia is equal, and infections after local or intravenous anesthesia account for only 10%. A common pathogen causing empyema after chest surgery is Staphylococcus aureus. About 40% of post-traumatic pneumonia is a complication of rib fracture or chest trauma. Skull fractures or other head injuries, other fractures, burns, or severe contusions have an equal incidence of pneumonia.