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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffTreatment of atelectasis depends on the cause. Atelectasis of a small area of your lung may subside without treatment. If there's an underlying condition, such as a tumor, treatment may involve removal or shrinkage of the tumor with surgery, chemotherapy or radiation.
Medications
In some cases, medications may be used. They include:
- Acetylcysteine (Acetadote, Mucomyst), which thins mucus and makes it easier to cough up.
- Inhaled bronchodilators (Foradil, Maxair, Proventil, Serevent, Ventolin, Xopenex), which open the bronchial tubes of the lungs, making breathing easier.
- DNase (Dornase Alfa), which is used to clear mucus plugs in children with cystic fibrosis and is gaining acceptance as a treatment for atelectasis for people without cystic fibrosis.
Therapies
A number of therapies known as chest physiotherapy are used to treat atelectasis. They include:
- Clapping (percussion) on your chest over the collapsed area to loosen mucus
- Performing deep-breathing exercises (incentive spirometry)
- Positioning your body so your head is lower than your chest (called postural drainage), which allows mucus to drain better
- Supplemental oxygen, which can help relieve shortness of breath (dyspnea)
Surgical or other procedures
Your doctor may suggest removal of airway obstructions, which may be done by suctioning mucus or by bronchoscopy. Bronchoscopy uses a flexible tube threaded down your throat to clear your airways. Often, the person performing the procedure (bronchoscopist) can partially remove a tumor to open the airway and temporarily relieve the obstruction.
- Ali J. Perioperative respiratory failure. In: Hall JB, et al. Principles of Critical Care. 3rd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical Pub. Division; 2005. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2296794. Accessed Jan. 26, 2010.
- Stark P. Atelectasis: Types and pathogenesis in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 11, 2010.
- Finder JD. Atelectasis in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 11, 2010.
- Surka A, et al. Bronchoscopic myths and legends: Bronchoscopy in the treatment of lobar atelectasis. Clinical Pulmonary Medicine. 2007;14:302.
- Smith DA. Pulmonary emergencies. In: Stone CK, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Emergency Medicine. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3106264. Accessed Jan. 26, 2010.
- Atelectasis. In: Professional Guide to Diseases. 8th ed. Springhouse, Pa.: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2005.
- Rozenfeld RA. Atelectasis. In: Kleigman, et al. Nelson's Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/181644491-2/0/1608/959.html?tocnode=54482623&fromURL=959.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-750409-6_7886. Accessed Feb. 3, 2010.
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