Effects of Alveolar Recruitment and Positive End-Expiratory Pressure on Oxygenation during One-Lung Ventilation in the Supine Position.

PURPOSE: Hypoxemia during one-lung ventilation (OLV) remains a serious problem, particularly in the supine position. We investigated the effects of alveolar recruitment (AR) and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on oxygenation during OLV in the supine position.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-nine patients were randomly allocated to one of the following three groups: a control group (ventilation with a tidal volume of 8 mL/kg), a PEEP group (the same ventilatory pattern with a PEEP of 8 cm H₂O), or an AR group (an AR maneuver immediately before OLV followed by a PEEP of 8 cm H₂O). The tidal volume was reduced to 6 mL/kg during OLV in all groups. Blood gas analyses, respiratory variables, and hemodynamic variables were recorded 15 min into TLV (TLV(baseline)), 15 and 30 min after OLV (OLV₁₅ and OLV₃₀), and 10 min after re-establishing TLV (TLV(end)).

RESULTS: Ultimately, 92 patients were analyzed. In the AR group, the arterial oxygen tension was higher at TLV(end), and the physiologic dead space was lower at OLV₁₅ and TLV(end) than in the control group. The mean airway pressure and dynamic lung compliance were higher in the PEEP and AR groups than in the control group at OLV₁₅, OLV₃₀, and TLV(end). No significant differences in hemodynamic variables were found among the three groups throughout the study period.

CONCLUSION: Recruitment of both lungs with subsequent PEEP before OLV improved arterial oxygenation and ventilatory efficiency during video-assisted thoracic surgery requiring OLV in the supine position.