Effect of intraoperative high positive end-expiratory pressure with recruitment manoeuvres versus low positive end-expiratory pressure on postoperative lung function in obese adults: a substudy of the protective ventilation in obese patients randomised controlled trial

Background

Patients with obesity are at an increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications and impaired lung function after general anaesthesia. Although higher levels of PEEP combined with recruitment manoeuvres may improve intraoperative respiratory mechanics, their effect on postoperative lung function remains uncertain. We evaluated whether high PEEP with recruitment manoeuvres improves postoperative spirometry in obese patients undergoing abdominal surgery.