What is a treatment option for reopening atelectatic lung units?

A lung recruitment maneuver is an effective treatment option for reopening atelectatic lung units. This technique involves applying positive pressure to help expand collapsed areas of the lung, thereby improving ventilation and oxygenation. The maneuver works by briefly increasing lung volume, which can help to reopen collapsed alveoli, enhance gas exchange, and prevent further collapse.

In contrast, high-flow oxygen therapy primarily serves to improve oxygenation in patients and does not directly address the mechanical aspect of reopening collapsed lung units. Corticosteroid treatment can reduce inflammation in lung tissues but is not a mechanical intervention to reopen atelectatic areas. Lung resection surgery, while a treatment option for more severe conditions, involves removing part of the lung and is not suitable for treating atelectasis directly. Thus, a lung recruitment maneuver is specifically designed for the purpose of addressing atelectasis by facilitating the reopening of lung units.