Atelectasis: Atelectasis is a complete or partial collapse of the entire lung or area of the lung. It occurs when the tiny air sacs (alveoli) within the lung become deflated or possibly filled with alveolar fluid. . General anesthesia is a common cause of atelectasis. It changes your regular pattern of breathing and affects the exchange of lung gases, which can cause the air sacs (alveoli) to deflate.
Conditions when atelectasis occurs: There are four primary causes of atelectasis: hypoventilation, airway obstruction, airway compression, and adhesions.
Hypoventilation
Hypoventilation, or breathing at an abnormally slow rate, is common during surgery, especially with general anesthesia, or when a person is placed on a respirator. The very act of shallow breathing prevents air from getting to the alveoli, causing the air sacs to deflate and collapse.
Airway Obstruction
Airway obstruction may be caused when something blocks a passage either inside the lung (like a mucus plug or a foreign object) or outside of the lungs (like a tumor which presses on the airway and causes obstruction).
Airway Compression
Compression of the airways is often caused by the buildup of fluid in the space surrounding the lungs.
