Utilisation de la ventilation non invasive dans la période postopératoire

The term “non invasive ventilation” (NIV) includes all ventilatory supportive techniques to maintain alveolar ventilation by assuming all or part of the work of breathing without intratracheal device. The aim of NIV is to offset all or part of the affected lung function associated with surgery by reducing the work of breathing muscles, improving alveolar ventilation, gas exchange and reducing atelectasis. During the postoperative period of major surgery, early application of prophylactic non invasive ventilation can reduce the risk of ventilatory complications. Using NIV to assist patients with acute postoperative respiratory failure should be done cautiously, respecting contra-indications after excluding a surgical complication. The place of NIV in the treatment of acute postoperative respiratory failure is still not established, mainly due to the lack of power of randomized controlled trials currently available.