Previous studies have suggested that early postoperative hypozemia may be due to a reduction of functional residual capacity (FRC) during anesthesia and surgery. Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) has been recommended as a means of maintaining FRC and improving arterial oxygenation. Fifteen selected patients undergoing peripheral surgical procedures were anesthetized with one of three types of ventilatory patterns: (1) spontaneous respiration; (2) controlled ventilation; and (3) controlled ventilation with 10 cm. of water PEEP. Pao2 were sampled at selected preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative periods. Patients receiving PEEP maintained the highest mean Pao2 intraoperatively. However, the beneficial effect of intraoperative PEEP was not sustained in the recovery room, where all patients experienced the same degree of arterial hypoxemia.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.