To place importance on prevention and treatment of perioperative respiratory complications        WU Guo-hao, ZHUANG Qiu-lin. Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital , Fudan University ,Shanghai200032, China
Corresponding  author ：WU Guo-hao, E-mail：prowugh@yahoo.com.cn
Abstract    Postoperative respiratory complications play a significant role in the risk for surgery. The most important and morbid postoperative respiratory complications are atelectasis, pneumonia, respiratory failure and exacerbation of underlying chronic lung disease. Risk factors for postoperative respiratory complications include patient-related risk factors such as chronic lung disease，age，cigarette use，congestive heart failure as well as procedure-related risk factors (e.g. surgical site, duration of surgery, anesthetic technique and emergency surgery). Careful history taking and a thorough physical examination may be the most sensitive ways to identify at risk patients. Pulmonary function tests, X-rays and other related tests also can assess risk of perioperative respiratory complications. Strategies to reduce the risk of perioperative respiratory complications include smoking cessation, pulmonary function training, optimizing nutritional status and intraoperative strategies. Postoperative care should include lung expansion techniques, supplemental oxygen therapy and adequate pain control.