Prevention of Atelectasis in Morbidly Obese Patients During General Anesthesia and Paralysis: a Computerized Tomography Study

Background: Morbidly obese patients show impaired pulmonary function during anesthesia and paralysis, partly due to formation of atelectasis. This study analyzed the effect of general anesthesia and three different ventilatory strategies to reduce the amount of atelectasis and improve respiratory function.

Methods: Thirty patients (body mass index 45 +/- 4 kg/m) scheduled for gastric bypass surgery were prospectively randomized into three groups: (1) positive end-expiratory pressure of 10 cm H2O (PEEP), (2) a recruitment maneuver with 55 cm H2O for 10 s followed by zero end-expiratory pressure, (3) a recruitment maneuver followed by PEEP. Transverse lung computerized tomography scans and blood gas analysis were recorded: awake, 5 min after induction of anesthesia and paralysis at zero end-expiratory pressure, and 5 min and 20 min after intervention. In addition, spiral computerized tomography scans were performed at two occasions in 23 of the patients.

Results: After induction of anesthesia, atelectasis increased from 1 +/- 0.5% to 11 +/- 6% of total lung volume (P < 0.0001). End-expiratory lung volume decreased from 1,387 +/- 581 ml to 697 +/- 157 ml (P = 0.0014). A recruitment maneuver + PEEP reduced atelectasis to 3 +/- 4% (P = 0.0002), increased end-expiratory lung volume and increased Pao2/Fio2 from 266 +/- 70 mmHg to 412 +/- 99 mmHg (P < 0.0001). PEEP alone did not reduce the amount of atelectasis or improve oxygenation. A recruitment maneuver + zero end-expiratory pressure had a transient positive effect on respiratory function. All values are presented as mean +/- SD.

Conclusions: A recruitment maneuver followed by PEEP reduced atelectasis and improved oxygenation in morbidly obese patients, whereas PEEP or a recruitment maneuver alone did not.