Patient selection: major oral and maxillofacial surgery with microvascular reconstruction
Outcome: postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, atelectasis, pleural effusion, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary edema, pneumothorax, respiratory failure)
Risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications:
(1) body mass index > 30 kg per square meter (odds ratio 2.6
(2) ASA Grade 3 (odds ratio 2.1Grades 4 and 5 would not usually be considered candidates)
(3) alcohol abuse (odds ratio 1.7)
Recommendations to reduce complications:
(1) surgical duration should be kept to a minimum
(2) avoid intraoperative fluid overload
(3) transfuse blood only for strict indications
