Background and aim: Atelectasis is one of the pulmonary complications associated with anesthesia. Little is known about atelectasis following endoscopic procedures under deep sedation. This study evaluated the frequency, risk factors, and clinical course of atelectasis after endoscopic resection.
Methods: A total of 349 patients who underwent endoscopic resection of the upper gastrointestinal tract at a single academic tertiary referral center from March 2010 to October 2013 were enrolled. Baseline characteristics and clinical data were retrospectively reviewed from medical records. To identify atelectasis, we compared the chest radiography taken before and after the endoscopic procedure.
Results: Among the 349 patients, 68 (19.5 %) had newly developed atelectasis following endoscopic resection. In univariate logistic regression analysis, atelectasis correlated significantly with high body mass index, smoking, diabetes mellitus, procedure duration, size of lesion, and total amount of propofol. In multiple logistic regression analysis, body mass index, procedure duration, and total propofol amount were risk factors for atelectasis following endoscopic procedures. Of the 68 patients with atelectasis, nine patients developed fever, and six patients displayed pneumonic infiltration. The others had no symptoms related to atelectasis.
Conclusions: The incidence of radiographic atelectasis following endoscopic resection was nearly 20 %. Obesity, procedural time, and amount of propofol were the significant risk factors for atelectasis following endoscopic procedure. Most cases of the atelectasis resolved spontaneously with no sequelae.
Keywords: Atelectasis; Endoscopic resection; Sedation.