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ABSTRACT Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a disabling inflammatory disease that makes walking and activities of daily living difficult. This condition can reduce functional capacity and increase the risk for surgery. Objective: To know the functional capacity of patients with KOA evaluated by the six-minute walk test (6MWT). Method: This cross-sectional study evaluated age, gender, weight, BMI, pain (VAS 90-100), physical disability (WOMAC 0-96), degree of joint damage by radiographic imaging, and 6MWT. Results: A total of 176 patients referred by Orthopedics were evaluated, with the inclusion of 164 participants. The mean age was 61.89 ± 10.62 years, 81% women, 67% with cardiovascular disease, hypertension and/or diabetes, 81% obese, with moderate pain (VAS 47.74 ± 29.27) and according to WOMAC, most had severe or very severe disability. The distance covered in the 6MWT was 354.03 ± 102.03m, 67% of the predicted distance. The maximum heart rate achieved was 107.27 ± 17.71 bpm, which characterizes 68% of the predicted by age. Only 12% of the sample showed a marked drop in oxygenation in the 6MWT and 40% had a recovery heart rate in the 1st minute below 15 bpm. Conclusion: Patients with KOA, who were evaluated by the 6MWT, have low functional capacity and physical deconditioning. Level of Clinical Evidence III, Case Control Study.

ABSTRACT Objective The extrinsic muscles, such as the posterior tibialis and long flexor of the hallux and the intrinsic of the foot, are part of the active subsystem of the central system of the foot and play an essential role in the control of the medial longitudinal arch resulting from difficulty in contracting the muscle, neuromuscular electrostimulation (NMES) becomes a resource combined with strengthening and recommended for rehabilitation. T this work aims to evaluate the effectiveness of NMES associated with exercise in deforming the medial longitudinal arch. Methods This is a randomized blind clinical trial. 60 asymptomatic participants were divided into three groups: NMES, exercise and control. The NMES and exercise group performed seven exercises for the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles twice a week for 6 weeks, and the NMES group used an NMES associated with five exercises. Navicular height and medial longitudinal arch angle were taken before and after the intervention period. Results No statistically significant differences existed between groups for navicular height and medial longitudinal arch angle. Conclusion NMES associated with exercise does not change the characteristics of the medial longitudinal arch in association with asymptomatic. Level of Evidence I; Randomized clinical trial.

ABSTRACT Objective: The medial longitudinal arch is the main structure of load bearing and shock absorption of the foot. The evaluation of medial longitudinal arch, such as the navicular height, the medial longitudinal arch angle and the Feiss line should be performed with the subtalar joint in the neutral and relaxed position. Our study analyzed the correlation between the measurements of the subtalar joint in neutral and relaxed positions during the evaluation tests of the medial longitudinal arch. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, in which 51 healthy volunteers (102 feet; 36 women; 28 ± 5 years, 1.66 ± 0.10 m; 24.5 ± 4.5 kg/m2) had their navicular height, medial longitudinal arch angle and Feiss line measured in the neutral and relaxed positions. The correlation between the measures was evaluated using Pearson’s test. Results: A strong correlation of the 102 feet Feiss line measurements between neutral and relaxed positions (r = 0.81) was observed, and a moderate correlation between the medial longitudinal arch angle (r = 0.78) and between navicular height in neutral and relaxed positions (r = 0.76). Conclusion: The measurements of the longitudinal medial arch between the neutral and relaxed positions are strongly correlated. Therefore, it is not necessary to measure the medial longitudinal arch in both neutral and relaxed positions. Level of Evidence II, Diagnostic Studies - Investigating a diagnostic test.

Endometriosis is characterised by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity that responds to oestrogen and stimulates local inflammatory processes, adhesions, pelvic pain, and infertility. The treatment of endometriosis includes the use of medications and videolaparoscopy for excision of adhesions or lesions. Some complications are associated with the videolaparoscopy, such as vascular, intestinal, urinary, neurological, and more rarely, vulvar oedema, which makes the rehabilitation difficult in the immediate postoperative period. In relation to the urinary dysfunction and to the vulvar oedema, physiotherapy has resources with demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of such complications after videolaparoscopy; they can rehabilitate the patient and improve their quality of life in a short time. In this study, the authors report the case of a patient treated by the Physical Therapy Service of the Santa Casa de Misericórdia Hospital of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, with urinary retention and vulvar oedema after videolaparoscopy for endometriosis, which showed improvement in vulvar oedema with the application of physiotherapy.

Introduction: Some of the factors that may be associated with and influence vaginismus and female sexual function have already been studied, such as repressive education, religious teaching, cultural values, and anatomical changes; however, no studies exist that have analysed the measurement between the external urethral orifice and the vaginal introitus in the search for differences between women with and without the diagnosis of vaginismus. Objective: To verify the urethro-vaginal anthropometric relation in women with and without vaginismus. Method: This was a cross-sectional study, approved by the Ethics Committee and registered in clinical trials, conducted from February to August 2017. Sixty women were evaluated, aged 18–40 years old and all of whom were nulliparous, heterosexual, and sexually active. They were divided into two groups: Group I (women with vaginismus, n=30) and Group II (without vaginismus, n=30). Using an inelastic tape measure, the distance between the external urethral orifice and the inferior border of the vaginal introitus was checked in both groups. Results: In Group I, the mean distance between the urethral orifice and the inferior border of the vaginal introitus was 0.69 cm. In Group II, the mean was 1.46 cm, with p

Bladder cancer is a worldwide health problem, due to both its high prevalence and the cost related to the treatment. It is usually identified on the basis of visible blood in the urine or blood found on urine testing, but emergency admission is a common way for bladder cancer to present and is often associated with a poor prognosis. The contracted bladder is a rare and serious complication which is disabling. In these cases, there is a need for a neobladder, which may lead to voiding dysfunction. Physiotherapeutic avenues have demonstrated effectiveness in the treatment of voiding dysfunction; they rehabilitate the individual and improve their quality of life. This study reports the case of a male patient who underwent transurethral resection of a bladder tumour (high-grade T1 carcinoma), which developed complications during treatment with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin. He also underwent cystoprostatectomy with ileal orthotopic neobladder.

O artigo objetiva analisar o conhecimento de uma equipe de enfermagem sobre o processo de humanização em um hospital público e buscar suas interpretações. O estudo é transversal com 29 voluntários da equipe de enfermagem de um hospital vinculado ao SUS no Estado de Minas Gerais. Todos os participantes estiveram em uma entrevista e responderam a um questionário semiestruturado com as perguntas construídas a partir das diretrizes preconizadas pelo Manual da Humanização. A maioria dos entrevistados conhece alguns conceitos sobre humanização, porém não se apropriam de todas as interpretações do programa de humanização e seguem a realizar o atendimento de forma intuitiva. O conhecimento sobre humanização na perspectiva da equipe de enfermagem foi classificado como empírico e não compreendeu a visão do programa nacional de humanização como ferramenta capaz de garantir ambiência hospitalar.

Purpose. Exercise is recommended for patients undergoing hemodialysis, to reduce the decrease in functional capacity secondary to the progression of chronic kidney disease. A cycle ergometer can be easily added to an exercise routine during hemodialysis sessions. The purpose of this article was to assess the results of a training protocol with the cycle ergometer during hemodialysis sessions on the respiratory function and functional capacity of patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis. Method. In this randomized clinical trial (NCT no. 02834026), 39 patients undergoing hemodialysis were randomly allocated into two groups: the treatment group (TG, n = 20), who underwent a cycle ergometer protocol training, and the control group (GC, n = 19), not trained. The TG attended 24 training sessions, three times a week, during the intradialytic period. Training intensity was aimed at keeping the heart rate between 50 and 70% of its maximum. All participants were evaluated before and after the eight consecutive weeks of follow-up and had biochemicals data, anthropometric, functional, and respiratory outcomes evaluated. Results. A significant difference was observed between groups in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in the first second, peak expiratory flow, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure, and Borg score and distance covered in the six-minute walk test. Improvement was also observed in biochemical and Kt/V test results for the TG. Conclusion. The systematic training regimen with a cycle ergometer resulted in benefits in the respiratory function and functional capacity in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis.

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the impact of a physiotherapy protocol in maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressure in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) by manovacuometry. AIS may change the respiratory dynamics and the performance of inspiratory and expiratory muscles, affecting ventilatory capacity. Methods: Patients with AIS aged 10 to 20 years old were randomly assigned to receive an aerobic exercise-training program or no treatment. They were evaluated for respiratory muscle strength before and after the treatment period by means of manovacuometry, thorax and spine radiographs. Physical therapy exercising protocol comprised three weekly sessions including stretching and aerobic exercises during four months. Results: Forty five patients received physical therapy and 45 patients received no treatment (control group). The mean maximum inspiratory pressure (Pimax) was -52.13 cm H20 and the maximum expiratory pressure (Pemax) was 62.38 cm H20. There was a significant increase of Pimax and Pemax (p=0,000) in the group receiving physical therapy. There were no drop-outs and no adverse events in this study. Respiratory muscle strength, scoliosis and kyphosis degrees were not statistically correlated. Conclusion: Exercising is beneficial to patients with AIS, who have shown significant increases in respiratory muscle strength after physical therapy. There was no correlation between respiratory pressure and spine deformity. Level of Evidence I, High quality randomized trial.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a correlação entre depressão e qualidade de vida em indivíduos com lombalgia. Participaram do estudo 51 indivíduos de ambos os sexos, com média de idade de 33,35 ± 12,34, sendo 90,2% do gênero feminino, submetidos à aplicação de ficha de avaliação e questionário (Inventário de Depressão de Beck, Whoqol-bref e Índice Funcional de Oswestry). Como resultado houve efeito significativo da Oswestry sobre as classificações de Beck (p=0,003) e um efeito significativo da classificação da depressão sobre os domínios da qualidade de vida (p=0,001). A média de Oswestry dos indivíduos com depressão foi moderada e significantemente maior que nos indivíduos sem depressão (p=0,002). Conclui-se com este trabalho que existe uma correlação positiva da depressão e o índice de qualidade de vida em indivíduos com lombalgia.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical and radiographic changes in patients with postural rounded upper back. METHODS: 30 patients diagnosed with postural rounded upper back were studied, being 22 male and eight female, aged between 10 and 20 years, referred by the outpatient clinic of the Grupo de Cirurgia da Coluna of the Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Patients underwent assessment of posture, special tests to check for muscle retractions and radiographic examination to measure the curvatures of spine using the Cobb method. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: It is concluded that in the postural roundback there is a moderate increase of the thoracic kyphosis; the lumbar and cervical curvatures do not increase as a compensatory mechanism; the head appears anteriorized and the shoulder is also anteriorized and medially rotated; muscle retractions are present in the hamstrings, hip flexors, pectoralis minor and adductors of the shoulder muscles; the mobility of the lumbar spine is preserved and there is no relationship between the magnitude of thoracic curvature and the retraction of the hamstring muscles.

Este artigo objetiva mostrar a necessidade de políticas intersetoriais no que concernem as políticas para a população idosa no Brasil. Por meio da pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, relacionaram-se ações conjuntas entre diferentes secretarias e/ou órgãos na implementação e condução das políticas para a população idosa no Brasil.

Abstract Introduction: Literature shows that patients undergoing hemodialysis present poor physical conditioning and low tolerance to exercise. They may also suffer from respiratory dysfunctions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on pulmonary function and functional capacity of patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis. Methods: Forty adult patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis were prospectively studied and randomized into two groups (control n = 20 and treatment n = 20). The treatment group underwent bilateral femoral quadriceps muscles electrical stimulation for 30 minutes during hemodialysis, three times per week, for two months. The patients were evaluated by pulmonary function test, maximum respiratory pressures, maximum one-repetition test, and six-minute walk test (6MWT), before and after the treatment protocol. Results: The treatment group presented increased maximum inspiratory (MIP) (p = 0.02) and expiratory pressures (MEP) (p < 0.0001), muscular strength in maximum one-repetition test (p < 0.001), and distance covered in the 6MWT (p = 0.03), and decreased systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001) and respiratory frequency (p < 0.001) when compared with the control group. Conclusion: Electrical neuromuscular stimulation had a positive impact on pulmonary function and functional capacity, leading to better physical performance in patients on hemodialysis.

OBJETIVO: Criar uma base de dados clínicos da função respiratória em pacientes com escoliose idiopática do adolescente; informatizar e armazenar estes dados clínicos através da utilização de um software; incorporar este protocolo eletrônico ao SINPE© (Sistema Integrado de Protocolos Eletrônicos) e analisar um projeto piloto com interpretação dos resultados. MÉTODOS: A partir da revisão da literatura foi criado o banco de dados informatizado de dados clínicos dos desvios posturais (protocolo mestre). Mediante a realização do protocolo mestre foi criado o protocolo específico da função respiratória de pacientes com escoliose idiopática do adolescente e realizado um projeto piloto com a coleta e análise de dados de dez pacientes. RESULTADOS: Foi possível criar o protocolo mestre dos desvios posturais e o protocolo específico da função respiratória de pacientes com escoliose idiopática do adolescente. Os dados coletados no projeto piloto foram processados pelo SINPE Analisador© gerando gráficos e estatísticas das informações coletadas. CONCLUSÃO: A criação da base de dados clínicos de escoliose idiopática do adolescente foi possível. A informatização e o armazenamento de dados clínicos utilizando o software foram viáveis. O protocolo eletrônico de escoliose idiopática do adolescente pôde ser incorporado ao SINPE© e sua utilização no projeto piloto foi realizada com sucesso.

RESUMO A história natural da doença e o tratamento de pacientes após a COVID-19 ainda se apresentam em construção. Os sintomas são persistentes, mesmo em casos leves, e as consequências decorrentes da infecção incluem fadiga, dispneia, taquicardia, perda de massa muscular e diminuição da capacidade funcional. Sobre a reabilitação cardiopulmonar, parece haver melhora na capacidade funcional, na qualidade de vida e no prognóstico com o Teste da Caminhada de 6 Minutos, sendo este utilizado como avaliador prognóstico e terapêutico. Assim, o objetivo deste relato de casos é descrever a experiência de quatro casos, de diferentes gravidades, que realizaram um programa de reabilitação cardiopulmonar pós-COVID-19, avaliados com Teste da Caminhada de 6 Minutos, força muscular periférica e duplo produto em repouso, para verificar o efeito da reabilitação após 3 meses de protocolo de, no mínimo, 300 minutos por semana. Os quatro casos apresentaram aumento da distância percorrida no teste da caminhada entre 16% e 94%. Houve aumento da força muscular periférica em 20% até seis vezes seu valor inicial, e a redução do duplo produto em repouso variou entre 8% e 42%. O programa de reabilitação cardiopulmonar apresentou impacto positivo nos casos acompanhados, com melhora da capacidade funcional, mesmo com a variabilidade da gravidade dos casos pós-COVID-19.

ABSTRACT Objective: Hand-held dynamometry is a quantitative and accessible means of determining the isometric force of muscle groups. Methods: A total of 52 women aged 20–29 years with no complaints of hip pain who were sedentary or sporadically active and had a body mass index of 18.5–24.99 kg/m2 were included. All participants underwent bilateral assessments using hand-held dynamometry of the flexor, extensor, adductor, and abductor muscles as well as the internal and external rotator hip muscles. All hip movements were measured. All contraction data collected by the dynamometer are expressed in kilograms, normalized according to body weight, and expressed as percentages. Results: The flexor muscles exhibited an isometric muscle force of 38.54% of body weight versus a muscle force of 27.04% for the extensor muscles, 16.89% for the adductors, 16.85% for the abductors, and 17.09% for the external rotators, and 23.82% for the internal rotators. Conclusion: Standardization of isometric strength values according to body weight proved feasible. This result is important for clinical practice since it allows the establishment of patterns of normality and criteria for discharge, return to sports, or assessment of the impact of injuries in terms of loss of muscle strength. Level of evidence: III, Development of diagnostic criteria on consecutive patients (with universally applied reference “gold” standard).

Abstract Background Children with Down syndrome have poorer functional and sensory skills compared to children with typical development. Virtual reality (VR) training could help improve these skills. Moreover, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has achieved promising results in terms of enhancing the effects of physical and sensory therapy by modulating cortical excitability. Methods/design Two investigations are proposed: (1) an observational study with a convenience sample consisting of children with Down syndrome (group 1—cognitive age of 6 to 12 years according to the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence) and children with typical development 6 to 12 years of age (group 2). Both groups will undergo evaluations on a single day involving a three-dimensional analysis of upper limb movements, an analysis of muscle activity of the biceps and brachial triceps muscles and an analysis of visuospatial and cognitive-motor variables. (2) Analysis of clinical intervention: a pilot study and clinical trial will be conducted involving individuals with Down syndrome (cognitive age of 6 to 12 years according to the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence). The sample will be defined after conducting a pilot study with the same methodology as that to be used in the main study. The participants will be randomly allocated to two groups: An experimental group submitted to anodal tDCS combined with a VR game and a manual motor task and a control group submitted to sham tDCS combined with a VR game and a manual motor task. The training protocol will involve 10 sessions of active or sham tDCS during memory and motor task games. Three 20-min sessions will be held per week for a total of 10 sessions. Evaluations will be performed on three different occasions: pre-intervention, post-intervention (after 10 sessions) and follow-up (1 month after the intervention). Evaluations will consist of analyses of electroencephalographic signals, electromyographic signals of the biceps and triceps brachii, and the three-dimensional reconstruction of the reaching movement. The results will be analyzed statistically with the significance level set at 5% (p ≤ 0.05). Discussion The optimization of the results obtained with virtual reality training is believed to be related to the interactive experience with a wide range of activities and scenarios involving multiple sensory channels and the creation of exercises, the intensity of which can be adjusted to the needs of children. Therefore, the proposed study aims to complement the literature with further information on tDCS and VR training considering different variables to provide the scientific community with clinical data on this combination of interventions. Trial registration Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (REBEC) protocol number RBR-43pk59 registered on 2019 March 27 https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-43pk59 and Human Research Ethics Committee number 3.608.521 approved on 2019 September 30. Protocol version 2021 October 20. Any changes to the protocol will be reported to the committees and approved. Informed consent will be obtained from all participants by the clinical research coordinator and principal investigator.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate heart rate variability during an inspiratory muscle endurance protocol at three different load levels [30%, 60% and 80% of maximal inspiratory pressure], in patients who had previously undergone coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods: Nineteen late postoperative myocardial revascularization patients participating in a cardiovascular rehabilitation program were studied. Maximal inspiratory pressure maneuvers were performed. An inspiratory muscle endurance protocol at 30%, 60% and 80% of maximal inspiratory pressure was applied for four minutes each, in random order. Heart rate and RR intervals were recorded and heart rate variability was analyzed by time (RMSSD-the mean of the standard deviations for all R-R intervals, and RMSM-root-mean square differences of successive R-R intervals) and frequency domains indices (high and low frequency) in normalized units. ANOVA for repeated measurements was used to compare heart rate variability indices and Student t-test was used to compare the maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure values. Results: Heart rate increased during performance of maximal respiratory pressures maneuvers, and the maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure mean values were significantly lower than predicted values (P

JUSTIFICATIVAS E OBJETIVOS: A manobra de recrutamento alveolar (MRA) é indicada no tratamento de atelectasias intraoperatórias. O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar duas técnicas de MRA por meio da resposta da relação PaO2/FiO2 e da soma [PaO2+PaCO2], em pacientes obesos grau III. MÉTODO: Estudo prospectivo aberto em pacientes adultos, obesos grau III, submetidos a procedimento cirúrgico bariátrico em ventilação controlada a volume, pressão positiva no final da expiração (PEEP) de 5 cmH2O e divididos em três grupos: G CONT: PEEP de 5 cmH2O; G MRA10/15/20 após sutura da aponeurose: aumento progressivo da PEEP para 10,15 e 20 cmH2O, pausa de 40 segundos e manutenção de cada valor da PEEP por 2 minutos; G MRA30: após sutura da aponeurose: aumento súbito da PEEP para 30 cmH2O, 40 segundos de pausa e manutenção da PEEP em 30 cmH2O por dois minutos. Foram analisadas as variáveis frequência cardíaca, pressão arterial média, sistólica, diastólica, pressão média das vias aéreas (P MVA) e de platô (P PLAT), pressão arterial de oxigênio (PaO2), pressão arterial de CO2 (PaCO2), relação PaO2/FiO2 (fração inspiratória de oxigênio) e soma [PaO2+PaCO2]. RESULTADOS: As variáveis que apresentaram diferença estatística significativa entre os três grupos foram: P PLAT, P MVA, PaO2, relação PaO2/FiO2 e soma [PaO2+PaCO2] (p < 0,0001). Na comparação dos grupos dois a dois, verificou-se diferença estatística significativa para as variáveis P PLAT e P MVA: G CONT X G MRA10/15/20 e G CONT X G MRA30 e para as variáveis relação PaO2/FiO2 e soma [PaO2+PaCO2]: G CONT X G MRA30. CONCLUSÕES: A técnica de MRA com aumento súbito da PEEP para 30 cm H2O mostrou a melhor resposta da relação PaO2/FiO2.JUSTIFICATIVAS Y OBJETIVOS: La maniobra de reclutamiento alveolar (MRA) se indica en el tratamiento de atelectasias intraoperatorias. El objetivo del presente estudio fue comparar dos técnicas de MRA por medio de la respuesta de la relación PaO2/FiO2 y de la suma [PaO2+PaCO2], en pacientes obesos con grado III. MÉTODO: Estudio prospectivo abierto en pacientes adultos, obesos grado III, sometidos a procedimiento quirúrgico bariátrico en ventilación controlada a volumen, presión positiva al final de la expiración (PEEP) de 5 cmH2O y divididos en tres grupos: G CONTROL: PEEP de 5 cmH2O; G MRA10/15/20 después de la sutura de la aponeurosis: aumento progresivo de la PEEP para 10,15 y 20 cmH2O, pausa de 40 segundos y mantenimiento de cada valor de la PEEP por 2 minutos; G MRA30: después de la sutura de la aponeurosis: aumento súbito de la PEEP para 30 cmH2O, 40 segundos de pausa y mantenimiento de la PEEP en 30 cmH2O por dos minutos. Se analizaron las variables frecuencia cardíaca, presión arterial promedio, sistólica, diastólica, presión promedio de las vías aéreas (P MVA) y de meseta (P PLAT), presión arterial de oxígeno (PaO2), presión arterial de CO2 (PaCO2), relación PaO2/FiO2 (fracción inspiratoria de oxígeno) y suma [PaO2+PaCO2]. RESULTADOS: Las variables que presentaron una diferencia estadística significativa entre los tres grupos fueron: P PLAT, P MVA, PaO2, relación PaO2/FiO2 y suma [PaO2+PaCO2] (p < 0,0001). En la comparación de los grupos dos a dos, se verificó una diferencia estadística significativa para las variables P PLAT y P MVA: G CONTROL X G MRA10/15/20 y G CONTROL X G MRA30 y para las variables relación PaO2/FiO2 y suma [PaO2+PaCO2]: G CONTROL X G MRA30. CONCLUSIONES: La técnica de MRA con aumento súbito de la PEEP para 30 cm H2O mostró la mejor respuesta de la relación PaO2/FiO2.BACKGROUND AND METHDS: Alveolar recruitment maneuver (ARM) is indicated in the treatment of intraoperative atelectasis. The objective of the present study was to compare two techniques of ARM using the response of the PaO2/FiO2 ratio and [PaO2 + PaCO2] in patients with grade III obesity. METHODS: This was an open prospective study with adult patients with grade III obesity who underwent bariatric surgery under volume-controlled mechanical ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 5 cmH2O, divided in three groups: G CONT: PEEP of 5 cmH2O; G ARM10/15/20 after suture of the aponeurosis: progressive increase in PEEP to 10, 15, and 20 cmH2O with a 40-second pause and maintaining each level of PEEP for 2 minutes; and G ARM30 after suture of the aponeurosis: sudden increase in PEEP to 30 cmH2O with a 40-second pause and maintaining a PEEP of 30 for 2 minutes. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean (P AW) and plateau (P PLAT) airways pressure, partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), PaO2/FiO2 ratio (inspired fraction of oxygen), and [PaO2 + PaCO2] were analyzed. RESULTS: The following parameters showed statistically significant differences among the study groups: P PLAT, P AW, PaO2, PaO2/FiO2 ratio, and [PaO2 + PaCO2] (p < 0.0001). Comparing the groups two by two, the following parameters showed statistically significant differences: for P PLAT and P AW: G CONT x G2ARM10/15/20 and G CONT x G ARM30; and for PaO2/FiO2 ratio and [PaO2 + PaCO2]: G CONT x G ARM30. CONCLUSIONS: Alveolar recruitment maneuver with sudden increase of PEEP to 30 cmH2O showed a better response of the PaO2/FiO2 ratio.