Elective Surgery on Patients with Respiratory Paralysis

Respiratory paralysis due to poliomyelitis is commonly accompanied by severe involvement of the trunk and extremities. 2. These patients are in great need of complete orthopaedic care—including reconstructive surgery. 3. The breathing ability does not dictate a patient's ability to tolerate surgery. It merely indicates his relative need for mechanical respiratory assistance during the surgical period. 4. The use of respiratory equipment in the early postoperative period will decrease the systemic reaction to surgery and its associated medications by supporting the patient's respiratory system and thus reducing the postoperative morbidity.