Therapy

The treatment of pneumonia occurring after surgery depends on both the extent of the inflammatory processes and the general condition of the patient concerned. Initially, the affected person is supplied with oxygen through a so-called oxygen goggle. This is intended to improve the oxygen saturation of the red blood cells.

In the case of a pronounced pneumonia, which occurs after an operation, the pure oxygen supply may not be sufficient under certain circumstances. In these cases, mechanical ventilation must be considered. During the treatment of pneumonia, close monitoring of blood gases and permanent monitoring of oxygen saturation are essential.

If the pneumonia is caused by bacterial pathogens and occurs after surgery, antibiotic treatment must be initiated. In addition, the fever associated with the inflammatory processes should be treated with antipyretic measures. In particular, the use of calf compresses and the administration of antipyretic drugs such as paracetamol or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) are suitable for effective fever reduction.

In addition, the affected patient must ensure a sufficient fluid intake of at least 1.5 liters per day. The healing process can also be positively influenced by early mobilization of the patient and special respiratory therapy. The administration of cough-killing drugs (so-called antitussives) such as codeine, on the other hand, is now controversial.

In the case of a particularly pronounced pneumonia, which occurs after an operation, the affected patient may have to be monitored by intensive care medicine. Post-operative pneumonia caused by viral pathogens or fungi is usually much more difficult to treat. In these cases, specific treatment with antimycotics (drugs against fungi) or antivirals (drugs against viruses) is of primary importance.

PrognosisSurvival chances

The prognosis or chances of survival of pneumonia occurring after surgery depend mainly on the severity of the inflammatory processes and the general condition of the patient.A less pronounced pneumonia after surgery has a good prognosis if an appropriate therapy is initiated quickly. With the right treatment, the inflammatory processes usually heal completely within two to three weeks. Only in individual cases can courses of up to twelve weeks be observed.

Since atypical pneumonia usually has a milder course, the prognosis or chance of survival of virally caused pneumonia after surgery is also considered to be significantly better. This form of pneumonia usually heals completely within two weeks in patients who are not preloaded. Only old and/or immunocompromised patients have a significantly worse chance of survival of pneumonia after surgery. On average, it is assumed that the lethality rate (fatality rate of the disease) for common pneumonia is only 0.5 percent, but the previous surgery has a negative effect on the already weakened immune system of the affected patients.