A review of respiratory management in spinal cord injury

This paper considers the issue of respiratory complications following acute spinal cord injury, with reference to the area of high dependency care. It will approach the pathophysiology behind acute spinal cord injury and its effect on the respiratory system, while discussing the interventions used to prevent these complications. The literature has identified a multitude of therapeutic interventions in the care of respiratory complications. However, in this paper only positioning, chest physiotherapy and assisted coughing techniques will be considered.