Short-term noninvasive ventilation in the postanesthesia care unit: a case series

Eight patients suffering various causes of transient postoperative respiratory failure in the postanesthesia care unit were treated with short-term noninvasive pressure-support ventilation administered through a tight-fitting face mask. Intubation was avoided in all of them, and no complications were observed, as assessed by the treating anesthesiologist and from review of their charts. Indications and advantages of noninvasive ventilation in the early postoperative period are discussed.