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Intensive Care Medicine
Published in: Intensive Care Medicine 10/2005

01-10-2005 | Seminal Study

The effects of anesthesia and muscle paralysis on the respiratory system

Authors: Göran Hedenstierna, Lennart Edmark

Published in: Intensive Care Medicine | Issue 10/2005

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Abstract

Background

Oxygenation is impaired in almost all subjects during anesthesia, and hypoxemia for shorter or longer periods is a common finding. Moreover, postoperative lung complications occur in 3–10% after elective abdominal surgery and more in emergency operations.

Discussion

Rapid collapse of alveoli on induction of anesthesia and more widespread closure of airways seem to explain the oxygenation impairment and may also contribute to postoperative pulmonary infection. Causative mechanisms to atelectasis and airway closure seem to be loss of respiratory muscle tone and gas resorption.

Conclusion

Avoiding high inspired oxygen fractions during both induction and maintenance of anesthesia prevents or reduces atelectasis, while intermittent “vital capacity” maneuvers recruit atelectatic lung regions.
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Metadata
Title
The effects of anesthesia and muscle paralysis on the respiratory system
Authors
Göran Hedenstierna
Lennart Edmark
Publication date
01-10-2005
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Intensive Care Medicine / Issue 10/2005
Print ISSN: 0342-4642
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1238
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-005-2761-7

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