Protective mechanical ventilation during general anaesthesia

SummaryPulmonary postoperative complications (PPCs) occur in 5% of patients undergoing surgery and anaesthesia, and could be associated with an increase in morbidity and mortality. Different mechanical ventilation techniques for general anaesthesia, the use of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), protective tidal volume (VT) and recruitment manoeuvres (RMs), have been proposed in order to reduce the incidence of PPC.The aim of this review is:1. To analyse the effects of general anaesthesia on respiratory function.2. To evaluate the different general anaesthetic protective mechanical ventilation strategies proposed for use during open and laparoscopic surgery.3. To provide a brief focus on ventilation strategies during anaesthesia for particular diseases such as obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.