Non-drug interventions can significantly lower the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in abdominal surgery patients.

• PPCs occurred in 11.7% of patients across 255 trials involving over 55,000 participants.
• High-certainty evidence indicates that using low fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2) notably decreases PPC rates.

Surgeons should consider implementing these strategies to enhance patient outcomes and reduce hospital stays.

• The findings support a hierarchy of effective interventions, aiding in surgical decision-making for patient selection.