Which treatment is commonly used for atelectasis?

Lung expansion therapy is commonly used for the treatment of atelectasis because this condition involves the collapse of a part of the lung, resulting in decreased lung volume and impaired gas exchange. The goal of lung expansion therapy is to re-inflate the collapsed alveoli, improve lung function, and enhance oxygenation. Techniques such as incentive spirometry, deep breathing exercises, and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can help achieve this by encouraging the patient to take deeper breaths and promote alveolar inflation.

Other treatments, while important in various clinical scenarios, do not directly address the underlying issue of lung expansion. Antibiotics are primarily used for treating infections and would not directly facilitate the re-expansion of collapsed lung tissue. Heparin is an anticoagulant that can prevent blood clots but does not have a role in treating atelectasis. Antitubercular agents are used to treat tuberculosis and would only be indicated in cases where atelectasis is a consequence of a pulmonary infection like tuberculosis, rather than being a primary treatment for atelectasis itself. Thus, lung expansion therapy is the appropriate and targeted approach for this condition.