Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Jul 2012
ReviewOxygen and anesthesia: what lung do we deliver to the post-operative ward?
Anesthesia is safe in most patients. However, anesthetics reduce functional residual capacity (FRC) and promote airway closure. Oxygen is breathed during the induction of anesthesia, and increased concentration of oxygen (O(2) ) is given during the surgery to reduce the risk of hypoxemia. ⋯ A continuous PEEP of 7-10 cm H(2) O may not necessarily improve oxygenation but should keep the lung open until the end of anesthesia. Inspired oxygen concentration of 30-40%, or even less, should suffice if the lung is kept open. The goal of the anesthetic regime should be to deliver a patient with no atelectasis to the post-operative ward and to keep the lung open.