After a cholecystoduodenostomy on a 3 year old poor risk girl under local anesthesia, atelectasis developed. On the 8th postoperative day, an endotracheal tube was inserted with the patient eonscious and tenacions secretions were aspirated. Again on the 10th post operative day, after intubatioa under general anesthesia, aspiration of mucus and positive pressure ventilation were applied, the child then recovered.