Atelectasis

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Bronchoscopy

Lungs

Respiratory system

Partial lung collapse

The goal of treatment is to remove pulmonary (lung) secretions and re-expand the affected lung tissue.

The following are treatments for atelectasis:

• Use aerosolized respiratory treatments to open the airway.
• Position the body on the unaffected side to allow the lung to re-expand.
• Remove any obstruction by bronchoscopy or another procedure.
• Perform deep breathing exercises (incentive spirometry).
• Clap (percussion) on the chest to loosen mucus.
• Tilt the body (postural drainage) so that the head is lower than the chest to drain mucus.
• Treat a tumor or underlying condition, if present.

The collapsed lung usually re-inflates gradually once the obstruction has been removed. However, some residual scarring or damage may occur.

Pneumonia may develop rapidly after atelectasis.

Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms of atelectasis.

Review Date: 03/13/2007
Reviewed By: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.