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Rationale: It is unknown whether preventing overdistention or collapse is more important when titrating positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Objectives: To compare PEEP targeting minimal overdistention or minimal collapse or using a compromise between collapse and overdistention in a randomized trial and to assess the impact on respiratory mechanics, gas exchange, inflammation, and hemodynamics. Methods: In a porcine model of ARDS, lung collapse and overdistention were estimated using electrical impedance tomography during a decremental PEEP titration. Pigs were randomized to three groups and ventilated for 12 hours: PEEP set at ⩽3% of overdistention (low overdistention), ⩽3% of collapse (low collapse), and the crossing point of collapse and overdistention. Measurements and Main Results: Thirty-six pigs (12 per group) were included. Median (interquartile range) values of PEEP were 7 (6-8), 11 (10-11), and 15 (12-16) cm H 2 O in the three groups ( P  < 0.001). With low overdistension, 6 (50%) pigs died, whereas survival was 100% in both other groups. Cause of death was hemodynamic in nature, with high transpulmonary vascular gradient and high epinephrine requirements. Compared with the other groups, pigs surviving with low overdistension had worse respiratory mechanics and gas exchange during the entire protocol. Minimal differences existed between crossing-point and low-collapse animals in physiological parameters, but postmortem alveolar density was more homogeneous in the crossing-point group. Inflammatory markers were not significantly different. Conclusions: PEEP to minimize overdistention resulted in high mortality in an animal model of ARDS. Minimizing collapse or choosing a compromise between collapse and overdistention may result in less lung injury, with potential benefits of the compromise approach.

Background: Lower fractional inspired oxygen tension (Fio2) during general anesthesia can reduce lung atelectasis. The objectives are to evaluate the effect of two Fio2 (0.4 and 1) during low positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) ventilation over lung perfusion distribution, volume, and regional ventilation. These variables were evaluated at two PEEP levels and unilateral lung atelectasis., Methods: In this exploratory study, 10 healthy female piglets (32.3 ± 3.4 kg) underwent mechanical ventilation in two atelectasis models: (1) bilateral gravitational atelectasis (n = 6), induced by changes in PEEP and Fio2 in three combinations: high PEEP with low Fio2 (Fio2 = 0.4), zero PEEP (PEEP0) with low Fio2 (Fio2 = 0.4), and PEEP0 with high Fio2 (Fio2 = 1); and (2) unilateral atelectasis (n = 6), induced by left bronchial occlusion, with the left lung aerated (Fio2 = 0.21) and low aerated (Fio2 = 1; n = 5 for this step). Measurements were conducted after 10 min in each step, encompassing assessment of respiratory mechanics, oxygenation, and hemodynamics; lung ventilation and perfusion by electrical impedance tomography; and lung aeration and perfusion by computed tomography., Results: During bilateral gravitational atelectasis, PEEP reduction increased atelectasis in dorsal regions, decreased respiratory compliance, and distributed lung ventilation to ventral regions with a parallel shift of perfusion to the same areas. With PEEP0, there were no differences between low and high Fio2 in respiratory compliance (23.9 ± 6.5 ml/cm H2O vs. 21.9 ± 5.0; P = 0.441), regional ventilation, and regional perfusion, despite higher lung collapse (18.6 ± 7.6% vs. 32.7 ± 14.5%; P = 0.045) with high Fio2. During unilateral lung atelectasis, the deaerated lung had a lower shunt (19.3 ± 3.6% vs. 25.3 ± 5.5%; P = 0.045) and lower computed tomography perfusion to the left lung (8.8 ± 1.8% vs. 23.8 ± 7.1%; P = 0.007)., Conclusions: PEEP0 with low Fio2, compared with high Fio2, did not produce significant changes in respiratory system compliance, regional lung ventilation, and perfusion despite significantly lower lung collapse. After left bronchial occlusion, the shrinkage of the parenchyma with Fio2 = 1 enhanced hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, reducing intrapulmonary shunt and perfusion of the nonventilated areas., (Copyright © 2024 American Society of Anesthesiologists. All Rights Reserved.)

Background: Atelectasis is a condition characterized by the collapse and nonaeration of lung regions and is considered a manifestation of an underlying disease process. The goal of atelectasis treatment is the restoration of volume loss. In the range of different treatment options, chest physiotherapy is often used as a first-line approach, and some cases require bronchoscopic interventions., Methods: In this case series, we describe a modified bronchoscopic treatment procedure using pressure-controlled bronchoscopic segmental insufflation with surfactant application., Results: The proposed approach resulted in significant improvement of lung volume across a range of patients including massive lobar, atypical rounded atelectasis in previously healthy patients, and in a particularly challenging case involving an infant suffering from spinal muscular atrophy type I., Conclusion: The modified segmental insufflation-surfactant instillation technique offers a safe and promising easily implementable treatment of persistent atelectasis caused by different underlying disease processes with positive long-term outcomes., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Objectives: To study the efficacy of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) combined with prone positioning in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) and atelectasis and its effect on pulmonary function., Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 94 children with MPP and atelectasis who were hospitalized in Ordos Central Hospital of Inner Mongolia from November 2020 to May 2023. The children were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, with 47 children in each group. The children in the treatment group were given conventional treatment, BAL, and prone positioning, and those in the control group were given conventional treatment and BAL. The two groups were compared in terms of fever, pulmonary signs, length of hospital stay, lung recruitment, and improvement in pulmonary function., Results: Compared with the control group, the treatment group had significantly shorter time to improvement in pulmonary signs and length of hospital stay and a significantly higher rate of lung recruitment on day 7 of hospitalization, on the day of discharge, and at 1 week after discharge ( P <0.05). Compared with the control group, the treatment group had significantly higher levels of forced vital capacity (FVC) as a percentage of the predicted value, forced expiratory volume (FEV) in 1 second as a percentage of the predicted value, ratio of FEV in 1 second to FVC, forced expiratory flow at 50% of FVC as a percentage of the predicted value, forced expiratory flow at 75% of FVC as a percentage of the predicted value, and maximal mid-expiratory flow as a percentage of the predicted value on the day of discharge and at 1 week after discharge ( P <0.05). There was no significant difference in the time for body temperature to return to normal between the two groups ( P >0.05)., Conclusions: In the treatment of children with MPP and atelectasis, BAL combined with prone positioning can help to shorten the time to improvement in pulmonary signs and the length of hospital stay and promote lung recruitment and improvement in pulmonary function.

Objectives: The authors investigated the effect of active work with positive airway pressure (PAP) in addition to chest physiotherapy (CP) on pulmonary atelectasis (PA) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass., Design: A randomized controlled study., Setting: At a single-center tertiary hospital., Participants: Eighty adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery (coronary artery bypass grafting, valve surgery, or both), and presenting with PA after tracheal extubation on postoperative days 1 or 2, were randomized from November 2014 to September 2016., Intervention: Three days of CP, twice daily, associated with active work with PAP effect (intervention group) versus CP alone (control group). Pulmonary atelectasis was assessed by using the radiologic atelectasis score (RAS) measured from daily chest x-rays. All radiographs were reviewed blindly., Measurements and Main Results: Among included patients, 79 (99%) completed the trial. The primary outcome was mean RAS on day 2 after inclusion. It was significantly lower in the intervention group (mean difference and 95% CI: -1.1 [-1.6 to -0.6], p < 0.001). The secondary outcomes were the sniff nasal inspiratory pressure measured before and after CP and clinical variables. Sniff nasal inspiratory pressure was significantly higher in the intervention group on day 2 (7.7 [3.0-12.5] cmH 2 O, p = 0.002). The respiratory rate was lower in the intervention group (-3.2 [95% CI -4.8 to -1.6] breaths/min, p < 0.001) on day 2. No differences were found between the 2 groups for percutaneous oxygen saturation/oxygen requirement ratio, heart rate, pain, and dyspnea scores., Conclusions: Active work with the PAP effect, combined with CP, significantly decreased the RAS of patients undergoing cardiac surgery after 2 days of CP, with no differences observed in clinically relevant parameters., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To investigate the risk factors for pulmonary atelectasis in adults with tracheobronchial tuberculosis(TBTB). Methods: Clinical data of adult patients (≥18 years old) with TBTB from February 2018 to December 2021 in Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 258 patients were included, with a male to female ratio of 1∶1.43. The median age was 31(24, 48) years. Clinical data including clinical characteristics, previous misdiagnoses/missed diagnoses before admission, pulmonary atelectasis, the time from symptom onset to atelectasis and bronchoscopy, bronchoscopy and interventional treatment were collected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they had pulmonary atelectasis. Differences between the two groups were compared. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for pulmonary atelectasis. Results: The prevalence of pulmonary atelectasis was 14.7%, which was most common in the left upper lobe (26.3%). The median time from symptom onset to atelectasis was 130.50(29.75,358.50)d, and the median time from atelectasis to bronchoscopy was 5(3,7)d. The median age, the proportion of misdiagnosis of TBTB before admission, and the time from symptom onset to bronchoscopy in the atelectasis group were higher than those without atelectasis, and the proportion of receiving bronchoscopy examination and interventional therapy previously, and the proportion of pulmonary cavities were lower than those without atelectasis (all P <0.05). The proportions of cicatrices stricture type and lumen occlusion type in the atelectasis group were higher than those without atelectasis, while the proportions of inflammatory infiltration type and ulceration necrosis type were lower than those without atelectasis (all P <0.05). Older age ( OR =1.036, 95% CI : 1.012-1.061), previous misdiagnosis( OR =2.759, 95% CI : 1.100-6.922), longer time from symptom onset to bronchoscopy examination ( OR =1.002, 95% CI : 1.000-1.005) and cicatrices stricture type ( OR =2.989, 95% CI : 1.279-6.985) were independent risk factors for pulmonary atelectasis in adults with TBTB (all P <0.05). Of the patients with atelectasis who underwent bronchoscopy interventional therapy, 86.7% had lung reexpansion or partial reexpansion. Conclusions: The prevalence of pulmonary atelectasis is 14.7% in adult patients with TBTB. The most common site of atelectasis is left upper lobe. The TBTB type of lumen occlusion is complicated by pulmonary atelectasis in 100% of cases. Being older, misdiagnosed as other diseases, longer time from onset of symptoms to bronchoscopy examination, and being the cicatrices stricture type are factors for developing pulmonary atelectasis. Early diagnosis and treatment are needed to reduce the incidence of pulmonary atelectasis and increase the rate of pulmonary reexpansion.

Background: Variable ventilation recruits alveoli in atelectatic lungs, but it is unknown how it compares with conventional recruitment manoeuvres., Objectives: To test whether mechanical ventilation with variable tidal volumes and conventional recruitment manoeuvres have comparable effects on lung function., Design: Randomised crossover study., Setting: University hospital research facility., Animals: Eleven juvenile mechanically ventilated pigs with atelectasis created by saline lung lavage., Interventions: Lung recruitment was performed using two strategies, both with an individualised optimal positive-end expiratory pressure (PEEP) associated with the best respiratory system elastance during a decremental PEEP trial: conventional recruitment manoeuvres (stepwise increase of PEEP) in pressure-controlled mode) followed by 50 min of volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) with constant tidal volume, and variable ventilation, consisting of 50 min of VCV with random variation in tidal volume., Main Outcome Measures: Before and 50 min after each recruitment manoeuvre strategy, lung aeration was assessed by computed tomography, and relative lung perfusion and ventilation (0% = dorsal, 100% = ventral) were determined by electrical impedance tomography., Results: After 50 min, variable ventilation and stepwise recruitment manoeuvres decreased the relative mass of poorly and nonaerated lung tissue (percent lung mass: 35.3 ± 6.2 versus 34.2 ± 6.6, P  = 0.303); reduced poorly aerated lung mass compared with baseline (-3.5 ± 4.0%, P  = 0.016, and -5.2 ± 2.8%, P  < 0.001, respectively), and reduced nonaerated lung mass compared with baseline (-7.2 ± 2.5%, P  < 0.001; and -4.7 ± 2.8%, P  < 0.001 respectively), while the distribution of relative perfusion was barely affected (variable ventilation: -0.8 ± 1.1%, P  = 0.044; stepwise recruitment manoeuvres: -0.4 ± 0.9%, P  = 0.167). Compared with baseline, variable ventilation and stepwise recruitment manoeuvres increased Pa O 2 (172 ± 85mmHg, P  = 0.001; and 213 ± 73 mmHg, P  < 0.001, respectively), reduced Pa CO 2 (-9.6 ± 8.1 mmHg, P  = 0.003; and -6.7 ± 4.6 mmHg, P  < 0.001, respectively), and decreased elastance (-11.4 ± 6.3 cmH 2 O, P  < 0.001; and -14.1 ± 3.3 cmH 2 O, P  < 0.001, respectively). Mean arterial pressure decreased during stepwise recruitment manoeuvres (-24 ± 8 mmHg, P  = 0.006), but not variable ventilation., Conclusion: In this model of lung atelectasis, variable ventilation and stepwise recruitment manoeuvres effectively recruited lungs, but only variable ventilation did not adversely affect haemodynamics., Trial Registration: This study was registered and approved by Landesdirektion Dresden, Germany (DD24-5131/354/64)., (Copyright © 2023 European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.)

Background: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a novel and emerging tool for physiotherapists in ICU and may provide a way of monitoring lung aeration change in response to respiratory physiotherapy treatment during a patient's ICU stay., Objective: To measure change in the LUS score associated with a respiratory physiotherapy treatment; to determine whether change in LUS score correlates with other physiological measures., Design and Setting: A single-centre prospective cohort study was undertaken in a tertiary teaching hospital in Sydney, Australia., Patients: Adult mechanically ventilated patients in ICU with suspicion of atelectasis., Measurements: Primary outcome: pre-post difference in LUS score., Secondary Outcomes: PaO 2 /FiO 2 (PF) ratio, tidal volume (V T ), lung auscultation score, driving pressure (DP) and the modified radiological atelectasis score (mRAS) on CXR., Results: 43 patients were included. There was a mean improvement in total LUS score after physiotherapy treatment of - 2.9 (95%CI -4.4, -1.4), and a mean improvement in LUS of the right and left lungs of - 1.6 (-2.5, -0.7) and - 1.3 (-2.5, -0.1) respectively. There was a mean improvement in PF ratio, V T and auscultation score of 10.4 (-11.89, 32.7), 19 (-7.4, 44.5) and - 1.8 (-2.6, -1.0) respectively. There was no improvement in mRAS or DP. There was a weak correlation between change in LUS score compared with change in mRAS score., Limitations: Limitations included the prospective cohort single site design and the small sample size., Conclusions: The LUS score can be used to detect changes in lung aeration associated with respiratory physiotherapy treatment for acute lobar atelectasis in mechanically ventilated patients. Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Number: ACTRN12619000783123. CONTRIBUTION OF THE PAPER., Competing Interests: Conflict of interests None., (Copyright © 2022 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the application of two types of alveolar recruitment manoeuvres (ARMs) followed by a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) improved lung mechanics and the degree of atelectasis caused by general anaesthesia. Twenty-one female Merino sheep were divided into three groups: sustained inflation ARM (ARMsust), stepwise ARM (AMRstep), and control (without ARM). Sheep received detomidine-morphine for premedication, propofol for induction, and isoflurane during general anaesthesia in a volume-controlled mode with 100% oxygen during the first 15 min of anaesthesia and 40% the rest of the study. The right jugular vein and metacarpal artery were catheterised for mixed venous and arterial blood sample collection, respectively. The quasistatic compliance (Cqst), oxygenation parameters, and shunt fraction (Qs/Qt) were monitored before ARM application (TpreARM), and at 10 (T10) and 60 min (T60) after ARM application. A pulmonary histopathological study was conducted on five animals from each group. A significant increase in Cqst was observed in both ARM groups at T10 compared to TpreARM (ARMsust: P = 0.001; ARMstep: P = 0.002), although only the ARMsust group showed significant differences compared to the control group. The ARMstep group presented a significant improvement in oxygenation parameters and Qs/Qt fraction (T10: 4.84 (3.26-16.48)%, P = 0.048; T60: 4.40 (4.31-14.16)%, P = 0.004) compared with TpreARM (21.48 (20.61-28.32)%). The ARMstep group had the highest percentage of alveolar area and the most homogeneous values. In conclusion, the application of a stepwise ARM followed by PEEP improved atelectasis caused by isoflurane anaesthesia in healthy sheep., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Pulmonary complications can be caused by intraoperative mechanical ventilation. In particular, prolonged mechanical ventilation is associated with a high mortality rate, a risk of pulmonary complications, prolonged hospitalization, and an unfavorable discharge destination. Pre- and postoperative rehabilitation are important for the resolution of pulmonary complications in acute cases. However, there has been a lack of studies on interventions for pulmonary rehabilitation of patients with chronic pulmonary complications caused by prolonged mechanical ventilation. Accordingly, we describe the effect of pulmonary rehabilitation in such a patient., Case Presentation: We examined a 63-year-old Japanese woman with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy after subarachnoid hemorrhage who required prolonged mechanical ventilation. Radiographic and computed tomographic images revealed atelectasis of the right upper lobe. In addition, this atelectasis reduced the tidal volume, minute volume, and oxygen saturation and caused an absence of breath sounds in the right upper lobe during auscultation. We aimed to ameliorate the patient's atelectasis and improve her ventilation parameters by using positioning and expiratory rib-cage compression after endotracheal suctioning. Specifically, the patient was seated in Fowler's position, and mild pressure was applied to the upper thorax during expiration, improving her inspiratory volume. Immediately, breath sounds were audible in the right upper lobe. Furthermore, resolution of the patient's atelectasis was confirmed with chest radiography performed on the same day. In addition, her ventilation parameters (tidal volume, minute volume, and oxygen saturation) improved., Conclusions: Our results indicate that physical therapists should consider application of specific positioning and expiratory rib-cage compression in patients who exhibit atelectasis because of prolonged mechanical ventilation., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Introduction: When performing computerized tomography chest imaging in children, obtaining high quality, motion-free images is important in the accurate diagnosis of underlying pathology. General anesthesia is associated with the development of atelectasis, which can impair accurate diagnosis by obscuring or altering the appearance of the lung parenchyma or airways. Recruitment maneuvers, performed by anesthesiologists, can be used to effectively re-expand atelectatic lung., Methods: The computerized tomography chest imaging in 44 children aged between 2 months and 7 years, undergoing serial imaging for monitoring of cystic fibrosis, were reviewed and graded for atelectasis. The first scan performed on each child was performed with a supraglottic airway device and a non-standardized recruitment maneuver. The second scan on each child was performed with a cuffed endotracheal tube and a standardized recruitment maneuver., Results: When a supraglottic airway device and a non-standardized recruitment maneuver were used, 77% of patients demonstrated atelectasis of any degree on their computerized tomography chest imaging, compared with only 39% when a cuffed endotracheal tube and standardized recruitment maneuver were used. The percentage of computerized tomography chest scans that were scored acceptable (with either a total combined lung atelectasis score of 0 or 1) improved from 37% to 75% when a cuffed endotracheal tube and standardized recruitment maneuver were used. In particular, the mean atelectasis score for both lungs improved from 2.91 (SD ± 2.6) to 1.11 (SD ± 1.9), with a mean difference of 1.8 (95% CI 0.82-2.77; p: .0004)., Conclusion: The use of a cuffed endotracheal tube and a standardized recruitment maneuver is an effective way to reduce atelectasis as a result of general anesthesia. Anesthesiologists can actively contribute toward improved image quality through their choice of airway and recruitment maneuver., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Introduction: General anesthesia causes pulmonary atelectasis within few minutes of induction. This can have significant impact on postoperative outcome of cancer patients undergoing prolonged reconstructive surgeries., Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of sonographically detected perioperative atelectasis on the need for postoperative oxygen supplementation, bronchodilator therapy and assisted chest physiotherapy in patients undergoing free flap surgeries for head and neck carcinoma., Methods: Twenty eight head and neck cancer patients underwent bilateral pulmonary ultrasonographic assessments before and after lung surgery. Lung ultrasound scores, serum lactate, and PaO 2 /FiO 2 ratio were measured both at the beginning and at end of the surgery. Patients were scanned in the supine position and the number of single and confluent B lines was noted. These values were correlated with the need for oxygen therapy, requirement of bronchodilators and total weaning time to predict the postoperative outcome. Other factors affecting weaning were also studied., Results: Among twenty eight patients, seven had mean lung ultrasound score of ≥10.5 which correlated with prolonged weaning time (144.56±33.5min vs. 66.7±15.7min; p=0.005). The change in lung ultrasound score significantly correlated with change in PaO 2 /FiO 2 ratio (r=-0.56, p=0.03). Elevated total leukocyte count >8200μL and serum lactate >2.1mmoL/L also predicted prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation., Conclusion: This preliminary study detected significant levels of perioperative atelectasis using point of care lung ultrasonography in head and neck cancer patients undergoing long duration surgical reconstructions. Higher lung ultrasound scores highlighted the need for frequent bronchodilator nebulizations as well as assisted chest physiotherapy and were associated with delayed weaning. We propose more frequent point of care lung ultrasonographic evaluations and use of recruitment maneuvers to reduce the impact of perioperative pulmonary atelectasis., (Copyright © 2020 Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico-Facial. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Pulmonary atelectasis is common in the perioperative period. Physiologically, it is produced when collapsing forces derived from positive pleural pressure and surface tension overcome expanding forces from alveolar pressure and parenchymal tethering. Atelectasis impairs blood oxygenation and reduces lung compliance. It is increasingly recognized that it can also induce local tissue biologic responses, such as inflammation, local immune dysfunction, and damage of the alveolar-capillary barrier, with potential loss of lung fluid clearance, increased lung protein permeability, and susceptibility to infection, factors that can initiate or exaggerate lung injury. Mechanical ventilation of a heterogeneously aerated lung (e.g., in the presence of atelectatic lung tissue) involves biomechanical processes that may precipitate further lung damage: concentration of mechanical forces, propagation of gas-liquid interfaces, and remote overdistension. Knowledge of such pathophysiologic mechanisms of atelectasis and their consequences in the healthy and diseased lung should guide optimal clinical management., (Copyright © 2021, the American Society of Anesthesiologists. All Rights Reserved.)

The development of pulmonary atelectasis is common in the surgical patient. Pulmonary atelectasis can cause various degrees of gas exchange and respiratory mechanics impairment during and after surgery. In its most serious presentations, lung collapse could contribute to postoperative respiratory insufficiency, pneumonia, and worse overall clinical outcomes. A specific risk assessment is critical to allow clinicians to optimally choose the anesthetic technique, prepare appropriate monitoring, adapt the perioperative plan, and ensure the patient's safety. Bedside diagnosis and management have benefited from recent imaging advancements such as lung ultrasound and electrical impedance tomography, and monitoring such as esophageal manometry. Therapeutic management includes a broad range of interventions aimed at promoting lung recruitment. During general anesthesia, these strategies have consistently demonstrated their effectiveness in improving intraoperative oxygenation and respiratory compliance. Yet these same intraoperative strategies may fail to affect additional postoperative pulmonary outcomes. Specific attention to the postoperative period may be key for such outcome impact of lung expansion. Interventions such as noninvasive positive pressure ventilatory support may be beneficial in specific patients at high risk for pulmonary atelectasis (e.g., obese) or those with clinical presentations consistent with lung collapse (e.g., postoperative hypoxemia after abdominal and cardiothoracic surgeries). Preoperative interventions may open new opportunities to minimize perioperative lung collapse and prevent pulmonary complications. Knowledge of pathophysiologic mechanisms of atelectasis and their consequences in the healthy and diseased lung should provide the basis for current practice and help to stratify and match the intensity of selected interventions to clinical conditions., (Copyright © 2021, the American Society of Anesthesiologists. All Rights Reserved.)

Background: There has been a paucity of data about the therapeutic efficacy of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for pediatric refractory mycoplasma pneumonia pneumonia (RMPP) complicated with atelectasis. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of BAL in pediatric RMPP inpatients complicated with atelectasis., Methods: Totally 225 children diagnosed as having RMPP with radiological proven irreversible atelectasis completed this study. According to whether they received BAL treatment, they were divided into BAL-intervention group (N.=125) and the control group (N.=100). Clinical, laboratory and radiological effects were compared between these two groups. Bronchoscopic imaging features were also comprehensively investigated., Results: Compared with control group, the febrile days after enrollment was significantly shorter in BAL-intervention group (3.0±1.6 d) compared with that in control group (4.1±1.7 d) (P<0.01). The duration of coughing was 3.1±1.7 d in BAL-intervention group and 4.6±1.8 days in the control group (P<0.01). The duration of abnormal lung auscultation was 3.8±1.8 d in intervention group and 5.8±1.6 d in the control group (P<0.01). The length of hospital stays was 5.8±1.6 days and 7.8±1.9 days (P<0.01), respectively. We also found that WBC count (P<0.01) and CRP value (P<0.01) recovered more quickly in BAL-intervention group compared with that in the control group. Seven days after admission, 85.6% of patients in BAL-intervention group showed atelectasis resolution versus 39.0% in control group (P<0.01), and for pleural effusion disappearance 78.4% versus 43.0% (P<0.01)., Conclusions: Our data suggested that BAL intervention combined with regular drug usage and prednisolone is a better treatment for RMPP children complicated with atelectasis than conventional drug therapy alone.

Background: Among the challenges for personalizing the management of mechanically ventilated patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are the effects of different positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) levels and body positions in regional lung mechanics. Right-left lung aeration asymmetry and poorly recruitable lungs with increased recruitability with alternating body position between supine and prone have been reported. However, real-time effects of changing body position and PEEP on regional overdistension and collapse, in individual patients, remain largely unknown and not timely monitored. The aim of this study was to individualize PEEP and body positioning in order to reduce the mechanisms of ventilator-induced lung injury: collapse and overdistension., Methods: We here report a series of five consecutive mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19-associated ARDS in which sixteen decremental PEEP titrations were performed in the first days of mechanical ventilation (8 titration pairs: supine position immediately followed by 30° targeted lateral position). The choice of lateral tilt was based on X-Ray. This targeted lateral position strategy was defined by selecting the less aerated lung to be positioned up and the more aerated lung to be positioned down. For each PEEP level, global and regional collapse and overdistension maps and percentages were measured by electrical impedance tomography. Additionally, we present the incidence of lateral asymmetry in a cohort of forty-four patients., Results: The targeted lateral position strategy resulted in significantly smaller amounts of overdistension and collapse when compared with the supine one: less collapse along the PEEP titration was found within the left lung in targeted lateral (P = 0.014); and less overdistension along the PEEP titration was found within the right lung in targeted lateral (P = 0.005). Regarding collapse within the right lung and overdistension within the left lung: no differences were found for position. In the cohort of forty-four patients, ventilation inequality of > 65/35% was observed in 15% of cases., Conclusions: Targeted lateral positioning with bedside personalized PEEP provided a selective attenuation of overdistension and collapse in mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19-associated ARDS and right-left lung aeration/ventilation asymmetry., Trial Registration: Trial registration number: NCT04460859.

Upper respiratory tract infection (URI) symptoms are known to increase perioperative respiratory adverse events (PRAEs) in children undergoing general anaesthesia. General anaesthesia per se also induces atelectasis, which may worsen with URIs and yield detrimental outcomes. However, the influence of URI symptoms on anaesthesia-induced atelectasis in children has not been investigated. This study aimed to demonstrate whether current URI symptoms induce aggravation of perioperative atelectasis in children. Overall, 270 children aged 6 months to 6 years undergoing surgery were prospectively recruited. URI severity was scored using a questionnaire and the degree of atelectasis was defined by sonographic findings showing juxtapleural consolidation and B-lines. The correlation between severity of URI and degree of atelectasis was analysed by multiple linear regression. Overall, 256 children were finally analysed. Most children had only one or two mild symptoms of URI, which were not associated with the atelectasis score across the entire cohort. However, PRAE occurrences showed significant correspondence with the URI severity (odds ratio 1.36, 95% confidence interval 1.10-1.67, p = 0.004). In conclusion, mild URI symptoms did not exacerbate anaesthesia-induced atelectasis, though the presence and severity of URI were correlated with PRAEs in children.Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03355547).

Background: Hypoxemia is the most common barrier to lungs being transplanted from eligible organ donors who are brain dead (BD). Atelectasis is the principal reversible contributing factor to hypoxemia after brain death. We evaluated prospectively whether ventilation in the prone position in donors who are BD would reverse atelectasis, improve oxygenation, and result in more lungs being transplanted., Methods: Organ donors managed at the recovery center of 1 organ procurement organization over a 2-year period who exhibited hypoxemia (partial pressure of arterial oxygen [PaO 2 ]/fraction of inspired oxygen of <300 mm Hg) and had evidence of atelectasis were ventilated in the prone position for 12 hours or longer during donor management. A subset underwent computed tomography (CT) imaging to quantify the degree of atelectasis before and after prone positioning. Outcomes were compared with those of a control group with hypoxemia and atelectasis managed similarly but in the supine position in the previous 2 years., Results: A total of 40 lung-eligible donors who were BD with hypoxemia and atelectasis were managed in a prone position and compared with 79 donors in supine position. Baseline PaO 2 was similar between the prone and the supine groups (194 ± 78 vs 177 ± 77 mm Hg, p = 0.26) but increased more in the prone group at 4 hours (by 113 vs 54 mm Hg, p = 0.001) and remained 74-mm Hg higher at 12 hours (340 vs 266 mm Hg, p = 0.0006). CT-graded atelectasis was significantly reduced after ventilation in the prone position but persisted in the supine group (p = 0.001). Final PaO 2 was not significantly higher (344 vs 306, p = 0.12), but lungs were more often transplanted in the prone group (45% vs 24%, p = 0.03)., Conclusions: Ventilation in the prone position reverses atelectasis and rapidly and sustainably improves oxygenation in organ donors who are BD with hypoxemia. This effect appears to translate into more lungs being transplanted., (Copyright © 2020 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The aim of the present study was to explore the therapeutic effect and prognosis in patients with rib fractures and atelectasis after thoracic trauma in order to provide a basis for clinical decision-making in primary hospitals., Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 86 patients admitted to our hospital between January 2016 and May 2020 with rib fractures and atelectasis after thoracic trauma. On the basis of the chest computed tomography scans taken at the time of discharge, the patients were divided into two groups: the reexpansion group and the non-reexpansion group. The two groups were compared with respect to the changes observed in the patients' levels of blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) and pulmonary function, the presence of secondary pulmonary or thoracic infection, the time of chest tube drainage, the length of hospitalization, the cost of hospitalization, and the patients' level of satisfaction with their quality of life 3 months after discharge., Results: In the reexpansion group, there were significant differences in the levels of SpO2 and pulmonary function measured before and after pulmonary reexpansion (P < 0.05). Compared with the non-reexpansion group, the patients in the reexpansion group had a lower incidence of secondary pulmonary and thoracic infection and a higher level of satisfaction with their quality of life after discharge; these differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no statistical significance between the two groups with respect to the time of chest tube drainage or the length of hospitalization (P > 0.05). However, the cost of hospitalization was significantly higher in the reexpansion group than in the non-reexpansion group (P < 0.05)., Conclusions: The patients in the pulmonary reexpansion group had a lower incidence of complications and a better prognosis than the patients in the non-reexpansion group.

Background: Size matching is an important challenge in lung transplantation. Although the survival rate after lung transplantation with an oversized allograft was improved, it is associated with substantial immediate postoperative morbidity and mortality. Prone positioning is a rescue therapy showing improved outcomes in acute respiratory distress syndrome. We present a case of immediate postoperative refractory hypoxemia after oversized lung transplantation treated by prone positioning., Methods: A 62-year-old man was transferred to our hospital by our extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) transport team because of acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He underwent bilateral lung transplantation through bilateral anterior thoracotomy. For size matching between donor and recipient, multiple wedge resection and lingular segmentectomy were performed, but an oversized lung was implanted. On the immediate postoperative day, chest radiography revealed haziness in the left lower quadrant and the patient had an increased O 2 requirement; he could not be weaned from venovenous (VV) ECMO. Chest computed tomography revealed left lower lobar atelectasis and primary graft dysfunction. To revert the atelectatic portion, improve ventilation/perfusion mismatch, and avoid high ventilation pressure, we performed the recruitment maneuver. Despite this, his blood gas profile did not improve. Therefore, we applied prone positioning with VV ECMO. After conversion to the prone positioning, the hypoxia corrected and the tidal volume increased. After 20 hours, he was changed to the supine position. Thereafter, arterial blood gas analyses were stable and he could be weaned from ECMO. He was discharged on postoperative day 57 and maintained good respiratory function., Conclusions: This case demonstrated the safety and feasibility of prone positioning during the immediate postoperative period after lung transplant by bilateral anterior thoracotomy. Prone positioning successfully reversed postoperative atelectasis and improved primary graft dysfunction after oversized lung transplant., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Bronchoscopy is an aerosol-generating procedure and involves a high risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to health care workers. There are very few indications for performing bronchoscopy in a patient with confirmed COVID-19. These include atelectasis, foreign body aspiration, and suspected superinfection in immunocompromised patients. Proper use of standard personal protective equipment is mandatory to reduce the risk of transmission to health care workers. In this article, we describe a case of acute lung collapse in a 16-year-old boy with cerebral palsy who was infected with COVID-19. This patient responded to therapeutic bronchoscopy and had complete resolution of lung collapse within 24 hours of the procedure.

Dyspnea, cough, sputum production, and recurrent respiratory infections are frequently encountered clinical concerns leading patients to seek medical care. It is not unusual for a well-defined etiology to remain elusive or for the therapeutics of a presumed etiology to be incompletely effective. Either scenario should prompt consideration of central airway pathology as a contributor to clinical manifestations. Over the past decade, recognition of dynamic central airway collapse during respiration associated with multiple respiratory symptoms has become more commonly appreciated. Expiratory central airway collapse may represent the answer to this diagnostic void. Expiratory central airway collapse is an underdiagnosed disorder that can coexist with and mimic asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and bronchiectasis. Awareness of expiratory central airway collapse and its spectrum of symptoms is paramount to its recognition. This review includes clear definitions, diagnostics, and therapeutics for this challenging condition. We performed a narrative review through the PubMed (MEDLINE) database using the following MeSH terms: airway collapse, tracheobronchomalacia, tracheomalacia, and bronchomalacia. We include reports from systematic reviews, narrative reviews, clinical trials, and observational studies from 2005 to 2020. Two reviewers evaluated potential references. No systematic reviews were found. A total of 28 references were included into our review. Included studies report experience in the diagnosis and/or treatment of dynamic central airway collapse; case reports and non-English or non-Spanish studies were excluded. We describe the current diagnostic dilemma, highlighting the role of dynamic bronchoscopy and tracheobronchial stent trial; outline the complex therapeutic options (eg, tracheobronchoplasty); and present future directions and challenges., (Copyright © 2020 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Protective mechanical ventilation using low tidal volume has been introduced to surgical patients to reduce the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications. We investigated the effects of protective ventilation (PV) techniques on anesthesia-induced atelectasis identified via lung ultrasonography in patients undergoing abdominal surgery., Methods: A total of 42 adult patients who were scheduled for open abdominal surgery with an expected duration > 2 hours were included in the study. Patients were randomized to receive either conventional ventilation (CV; tidal volume of 9-10 mL/kg predicted body weight [PBW] with no positive end-expiratory pressure [PEEP]) or PV (tidal volume of 6-8 mL/kg PBW and 5 cmH₂O PEEP) via pressure-controlled ventilation with volume guaranteed. Lung ultrasonography was performed at four predefined time points to assess perioperative atelectasis by dividing each hemithorax into six quadrants based on a modified lung ultrasound (LUS) scoring system., Results: The tidal volume delivered to patients was 9.65 ± 1.65 mL/kg PBW in the CV group and 6.31 ± 0.62 mL/kg PBW in the PV group. Ventilation using low tidal volume led to similar LUS scores in all lung areas and at all time points compared to ventilation using high tidal volume. There was no significant difference between the groups in the number of patients requiring recruitment maneuvers at the end of surgery., Conclusion: Ventilation with low tidal volume combined with 5 cmH₂O PEEP did not cause further loss of aeration compared to ventilation with high tidal volume. Low tidal volume ventilation can be used in patients without lung injury based on lung assessment by bedside lung ultrasonography., Trial Registration: Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0003746., Competing Interests: The authors have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose., (© 2020 The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences.)

Background: The ideal fraction of nitrous oxide (N 2 O) in oxygen (O 2 ) for rapid lung collapse remains unclear. Accordingly, this prospective trial aimed to determine the 50% effective concentration (EC 50 ) and 95% effective concentration (EC 95 ) of N 2 O in O 2 for rapid lung collapse., Methods: This study included 38 consecutive patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). The lung collapse score (LCS) of each patient during one-lung ventilation was evaluated by the same surgeon. The first patient received 30% N 2 O in O 2 , and the subsequent N 2 O fraction in O 2 was determined by the LCS of the previous patient using the Dixon up-and-down method. The testing interval was set at 10%, and the lowest concentration was 10% (10, 20, 30, 40%, or 50%). The EC 50 and EC 95 of N 2 O in O 2 for rapid lung collapse were analyzed using a probit test., Results: According to the up-and-down method, the N 2 O fraction in O 2 at which all patients exhibited successful lung collapse was 50%. The EC 50 and EC 95 of N 2 O in O 2 for rapid lung collapse were 27.7% (95% confidence interval 19.9-35.7%) and 48.7% (95% confidence interval 39.0-96.3%), respectively., Conclusions: In patients undergoing VATS, the EC 50 and EC 95 of N 2 O in O 2 for rapid lung collapse were 27.7 and 48.7%, respectively., Trial Registration: http://www.chictr.org/cn/ Identifier ChiCTR19 00021474 , registered on 22 February 2019.

Introduction: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic inflammatory disease. Standard imaging features of KD include interstitial and lobular inflammatory lesions in the lungs, while KD shock syndrome (KDSS), complicated with substantial consolidation and atelectasis in the lung, is rarely reported., Patients Concerns: Herein, we report a single case of a 5-year-old female patient who manifested KDSS on the seventh day of the course of KD. Chest enhanced computed tomography indicated large-area consolidation in the lower lobes of the bilateral lungs., Diagnosis: The patient was diagnosed with KDSS complicated with non-infective lung consolidation., Interventions: The patient received human intravenous immunoglobulin (2 g/kg) and aspirin (30-50 mg/kgd), methylprednisolone, a vasoactive agent, and albumin. Infective factors were excluded., Outcomes: The consolidation in the lower lobe of the bilateral lungs was completely recovered after 3 days of treatment., Conclusions: Children with KDSS may present with pulmonary lesions such as substantial consolidation and atelectasis; thus, infective factors should be excluded. If there is no etiological evidence, antibiotics should be used with caution.

The column in this issue is supplied by Juan Jose Olivero, MD, who was a nephrologist at Houston Methodist Hospital and a member of the hospital's Nephrology Training Program before his retirement in 2019. Dr. Olivero obtained his medical degree from the University of San Carlos School of Medicine in Guatemala, Central America, and completed his residency and nephrology fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He currently serves on the journal's editorial board and is editor of the "Points to Remember" section., (© 2020 Houston Methodist Hospital Houston, Texas.)

Background: Lung atelectasis are nonventilated parts of lung tissue and occur as a result of the collapse of the pulmonary parenchyma (alveoli). Various therapeutic procedures for inflating the collapsed pulmonary parenchyma, such as bronchial aspiration and/or standard recruitment maneuvers, are not always successful., Case Presentation: We report a case of a 23-year-old Croatian man with a parapharyngeal abscess on the left side of the neck with spreading of infection in the mediastinum and left side of the thorax and consequent major atelectasis of the left lung. The patient was mechanically ventilated. We decided to apply a new method in which a pulmonary artery catheter was placed (guided by bronchoscope) on the entrance to the lower left bronchus. The pulmonary artery catheter balloon was inflated to achieve bronchial closure. Using another respirator, we ventilated the affected lobe separately with continuously high pressure of 30 cmH 2 O. After 30 minutes, we removed the pulmonary artery catheter from the lower left bronchus and placed it in the upper left bronchus and repeated the procedure. Our method allowed a significantly longer duration (30 minutes) of continuously high pressure of 30 cmH 2 O separately to only one of the total of five lobes of the lungs while the other four lobes were simultaneously ventilated continuously with protective ventilation mode., Conclusion: Use of a pulmonary artery catheter and two respirators in our patient's case proved to be a successful method for recruiting the atelectatic lung while maintaining protective ventilation of the lung segments without atelectasis.

BACKGROUND Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a disease characterized by motor ciliary dysfunction, which leads to the accumulation of secretions in the lower airways and, consequently, to atelectasis and repeated infections. During the neonatal period, diagnosis can be difficult because the symptoms are frequently associated with other respiratory diseases common in neonates. The laterality defects should warn the clinician of the need for further investigation using clinical criteria, but the confirmation depends on a genetic test. CASE REPORT The objective of this report is to present a case of PCD manifesting in the neonatal period that was diagnosed due to respiratory failure associated with recurrent atelectasis and situs inversus totalis. CONCLUSIONS This disease is not well known by neonatologists, but early diagnosis decreases morbidity and improves patient quality of life.

Objectives: Determine the intra-tidal regional gas and blood volume distributions at different levels of atelectasis in experimental lung injury. Test the hypotheses that pulmonary aeration and blood volume matching is reduced during inspiration in the setting of minimal tidal recruitment/derecruitment and that this mismatching is an important determinant of hypoxemia., Design: Preclinical study., Setting: Research laboratory., Subjects: Seven anesthetized pigs 28.7 kg (SD, 2.1 kg)., Interventions: All animals received a saline-lavage surfactant depletion lung injury model. Positive end-expiratory pressure was varied between 0 and 20 cm H2O to induce different levels of atelectasis., Measurements and Main Results: Dynamic dual-energy CT images of a juxtadiaphragmatic slice were obtained, gas and blood volume fractions within three gravitational regions calculated and normalized to lung tissue mass (normalized gas volume and normalized blood volume, respectively). Ventilatory conditions were grouped based upon the fractional atelectatic mass in expiration (< 20%, 20-40%, and ≥ 40%). Tidal recruitment/derecruitment with fractional atelectatic mass in expiration greater than or equal to 40% was less than 7% of lung mass. In this group, inspiration-related increase in normalized gas volume was greater in the nondependent (818 µL/g [95% CI, 729-908 µL/g]) than the dependent region (149 µL/g [120-178 µL/g]). Normalized blood volume decreased in inspiration in the nondependent region (29 µL/g [12-46 µL/g]) and increased in the dependent region (39 µL/g [30-48 µL/g]). Inspiration-related changes in normalized gas volume and normalized blood volume were negatively correlated in fractional atelectatic mass in expiration greater than or equal to 40% and 20-40% groups (r = 0.56 and 0.40), but not in fractional atelectatic mass in expiration less than 20% group (r = 0.01). Both the increase in normalized blood volume in the dependent region and fractional atelectatic mass in expiration negatively correlated with PaO2/FIO2 ratio (ρ = -0.77 and -0.93, respectively)., Conclusions: In experimental atelectasis with minimal tidal recruitment/derecruitment, mechanical inspiratory breaths redistributed blood volume away from well-ventilated areas, worsening PaO2/FIO2.

Background: The effects of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy on postoperative atelectasis and duration of oxygen therapy after off-pump coronary artery bypass graft are unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of HFNC therapy for subjects who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass graft with the effects of standard oxygen therapy in terms of oxygen requirement and atelectasis., Methods: This prospective single-blinded randomized, controlled trial included 148 subjects who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass graft between 2010 and 2015 with HFNC ( n = 72) or without HFNC (standard O 2 , n = 76). The primary end point was the percentage difference in loss of lung volume between subjects with or without HFNC therapy. Secondary end points included the total amount of oxygen administered and duration of oxygen therapy with and without HFNC therapy., Results: There were significant between-group differences in the percentage loss of lung volume ( P < .001), total amount of oxygen administered ( P < .001), duration of oxygen therapy ( P < .001), and the need for postoperative diuretic therapy ( P = .037). The amount (ρ = 0.569, P < .001) and duration (ρ = 0.678, P < .001) of oxygen administered were correlated with atelectasis volume., Conclusions: Using HFNC therapy after off-pump coronary artery bypass graft shortened the duration of oxygen therapy and reduced the percentage loss of lung volume and total amount of oxygen administered when compared with standard oxygen therapy., Competing Interests: They authors have declared no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2020 by Daedalus Enterprises.)

Objective: To investigate the value of bedside pulmonary ultrasound in the diagnosis and treatment of atelectasis in patients after cardiac surgery. Methods: A total of 45 patients developed respiratory failure within 1 week after cardiovascular surgery from April 2017 to April 2018 were enrolled in this study. Among them, 27 were male and 18 were female, mean age was (47±5) years. The postoperative pulmonary ultrasound and chest CT findings were collected, and the consistency, efficacy evaluation, timeliness and safety value of pulmonary ultrasound and chest CT diagnosis were compared. The consistency of the two diagnostic methods was checked based on the Kappa consistency test. Results: A total of 87 foci of atelectasis were diagnosed in 45 patients, including 29 foci of complete atelectasis and 58 foci of incomplete atelectasis. Thoracic CT examination confirmed 44 cases of atelectasis (positive rate 97.8%), and 42 cases (93.3%) were found with atelectasis with ultrasound test. The two methods were consistent in the diagnosis of atelectasis (Kappa value was 0.741, P< 0.05). In the evaluation of the atelectasis, the results of the two examination methods were completely consistent, and the pulmonary ultrasound couldcheck the lung recruitment in real time. Ultrasound examination after lung recruitment showed that the total ventilation score of 42 patients decreased significantly when compared with that before treatment ((18.3±3.6) vs (26.6±3.8), t= 10.229, P< 0.05). There was no significant difference in the safety between the two examination methods. The time the bedside pulmonary ultrasound used was significantly shorter than that in the chest CT. Conclusions: The accuracy of bedside pulmonary ultrasound in assessing atelectasis after cardiovascular surgery is consistent with chest CT, it brings dynamic monitoring of lung status and assessment of lung recruitment by changes in lung ventilation scores. The inspection takes a short time and is worth promoting.

Background: To the best of our knowledge, no study has reported mediastinal shift accompanied with obstructive atelectasis due to bulky primary esophageal tumor components treated with adaptive radiotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy., Case Presentation: Here we report the case of a 65-year-old male patient diagnosed with locally advanced thoracic esophageal squamous cell cancer, clinical T4bN1M0, stage IVA. Bronchoscopy and computed tomography (CT) revealed an almost complete obstruction of the lumen of the left bronchus due to compression by bulky primary esophageal tumor components. On admission, the patient presented with dyspnea and decreased arterial oxygen saturation. Chest radiography and CT on admission revealed mediastinal shift with left atelectasis, as opposed to findings from the chest radiography performed 26 days before admission. Because of the patient's overall good condition, we recommended definitive chemoradiotherapy instead of palliative bronchial stent placement. After obtaining the patient's consent, chemoradiotherapy was initiated on the following day and it comprised three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy with 60 Gy in 30 fractions with concurrent administration of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. During chemoradiotherapy, tumor location was monitored with cone-beam CT and chest radiography. Chemoradiotherapy on day 8 revealed no evidence of the mediastinal shift. CT simulation was reperformed to adjust the radiotherapy fields to account for geometrical changes induced by the absence of the mediastinal shift. Subsequently, the mediastinal shift and bronchial obstruction did not recur during the course of chemoradiotherapy. The patient completed the planned radiotherapy with concurrent and adjuvant chemotherapy, and no non-hematological grade ≥ 3 adverse events were observed. Complete response was confirmed 7 months after initiating chemoradiotherapy. Currently, no disease recurrence, dysphagia, or respiratory symptoms have been reported at 13 months after initiating chemoradiotherapy., Conclusions: In this study, a bulky primary esophageal tumor caused mediastinal shift due to ipsilateral bronchial obstruction. The close follow-up for monitoring resolution of the mediastinal shift during the course of chemoradiotherapy enabled adequate dose delivery to targets, thus reflecting the geometrical changes induced by the absence of the mediastinal shift. Adaptive radiotherapy technique was crucial for favorable patient outcomes in this challenging clinical situation.

Point of care lung ultrasound (POC-LUS) has played important roles in diagnosing neonatal lung diseases and assisting in their treatment. A newborn infant with severe respiratory distress diagnosed as pulmonary atelectasis caused by congenital massive pleural effusion, whose consolidated lung recruitment after pleural puncture drainage under POC-LUS guidance. Lung ultrasound can be performed easily and timely at bed-side with free of radiation exposure, thus it should be used extensively in the neonatal department.

Background: An incentive spirometer (IS) is a mechanical device that promotes lung expansion. It is commonly used to prevent postoperative lung atelectasis and decrease pulmonary complications after cardiac, lung, or abdominal surgery. This study explored its effect on lung function and pulmonary complication rates in patients with rib fractures., Methods: Between June 2014 and May 2017, 50 adult patients with traumatic rib fractures were prospectively investigated. Patients who were unconscious, had a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma, or an Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥ 16 were excluded. Patients were randomly divided into a study group (n = 24), who underwent IS therapy, and a control group (n = 26). All patients received the same analgesic protocol. Chest X-rays and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed on the 5th and 7th days after trauma., Results: The groups were considered demographically homogeneous. The mean age was 55.2 years and 68% were male. Mean pretreatment ISSs and mean number of ribs fractured were not significantly different (8.23 vs. 8.08 and 4 vs. 4, respectively). Of 50 patients, 28 (56%) developed pulmonary complications, which were more prevalent in the control group (80.7% vs. 29.2%; p = 0.001). Altogether, 25 patients had delayed hemothorax, which was more prevalent in the control group (69.2% vs. 29.2%; p = 0.005). Two patients in the control group developed atelectasis, one patient developed pneumothorax, and five patients required thoracostomy. PFT results showed decreased forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1 ) in the control group. Comparing pre- and posttreatment FVC and FEV 1 , the study group had significantly greater improvements (p < 0.001)., Conclusions: In conclusion, the use of an IS reduced pulmonary complications and improved PFT results in patients with rib fractures. The IS is a cost-effective device for patients with rib fractures and its use has clinical benefits without harmful effects., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04006587. Registered on 3 July 2019.

Background: This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of ventilator for the treatment of atelectasis., Methods: We will search Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, EBSCO, Chinese database Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang data from inceptions to June 30, 2019 without language limitations. We will include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of ventilator on evaluating the efficacy and safety of ventilator for atelectasis. We will use Cochrane risk of bias tool to assess the methodological quality for all included RCTs. RevMan 5.3 software will be used for statistical analysis., Results: The primary outcome is lung function. The secondary outcomes comprise of airway pressure, mean arterial pressure, arterial blood gas, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and adverse events., Conclusion: The findings of this study will provide most recent evidence of ventilator for the treatment of atelectasis., Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO CRD42019139329.

Corrective treatment of expiratory central airway collapse (ECAC) consists of placement of airway stents or tracheobronchoplasty (TBP). The indication for corrective treatment is severe central airway collapse (>90 %), and severe symptoms that cause decline in quality of life. Patients are selected to undergo a trial of tracheal "Y" stent placement. If symptoms improve (positive trial) they undergo a TBP, provided they are good surgical candidates. Patients who are considered poor surgical candidates because of the severity of comorbidities can be offered permanent stenting to palliate symptoms. The anesthetic management of airway stent placement and TBP is complex. This article reviews the medical management and corrective treatment of ECAC, anesthetic management of airway stent placement, and considerations during TBP., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Although the incidence and prevalence of atelectatic lung collapse is unknown, such events are common among inpatients, and there are no guidelines for optimally instituting bronchoscopic techniques. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients with complete or near-complete lung collapse managed via interventional flexible fibreoptic bronchoscopy or a conservative approach., Methods: Retrospective analysis of all adult patients admitted to BronxCare Health System between January 2011 and October 2017 with a diagnosis of lung collapse/atelectasis. The primary outcome was radiological resolution. Timing of bronchoscopy relative to radiological resolution and mortality served as secondary outcomes., Results: Of the 177 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 149 (84%) underwent bronchoscopy and 28 (16%) were managed through conservative measures only. A significantly greater number of patients in the bronchoscopy group achieved complete or near-complete resolution on chest X-ray, compared with the conservative group (p=0.007). Timing of bronchoscopy had no impact on the rate of radiological resolution, and mortality in the two groups was similar. New endobronchial malignancies were identified in 21 patients (14%)., Conclusions: Our data support the central role of bronchoscopy in instances of complete or near-complete lung collapse, ensuring better radiological outcomes. Judicious use of conservative management is warranted to avoid missing significant pathology. A prime consideration in this setting is obstructive malignancy., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.

People with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), develop a respiratory muscle weakness that results in weakened cough, airway clearance impairment and over time respiratory failure and death. Assessment of cough effectiveness through vital capacity, peak cough flow and maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures has been used to identify the optimal timing of cough augmentation techniques initiation. The choice of therapies depends on physician knowledge, and patient/care giver abilities. The purpose of this review is to clarify mechanisms of action, benefits and disadvantages of available techniques, such as manual cough-assisting manoeuvres, glossopharyngeal breathing, air stacking by resuscitator bag or by volume-cycle ventilator, and mechanical insufflator-exsufflator. Mechanisms of mucus mobilization, like intrapulmonary percussive ventilation, may have a therapeutic role in the case of persistent atelectasis. It is also crucial to recognize the initial phase of an acute respiratory exacerbation, increase the use of these techniques which may reduce morbidity and mortality., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Importance: An intraoperative higher level of positive end-expiratory positive pressure (PEEP) with alveolar recruitment maneuvers improves respiratory function in obese patients undergoing surgery, but the effect on clinical outcomes is uncertain., Objective: To determine whether a higher level of PEEP with alveolar recruitment maneuvers decreases postoperative pulmonary complications in obese patients undergoing surgery compared with a lower level of PEEP., Design, Setting, and Participants: Randomized clinical trial of 2013 adults with body mass indices of 35 or greater and substantial risk for postoperative pulmonary complications who were undergoing noncardiac, nonneurological surgery under general anesthesia. The trial was conducted at 77 sites in 23 countries from July 2014-February 2018; final follow-up: May 2018., Interventions: Patients were randomized to the high level of PEEP group (n = 989), consisting of a PEEP level of 12 cm H2O with alveolar recruitment maneuvers (a stepwise increase of tidal volume and eventually PEEP) or to the low level of PEEP group (n = 987), consisting of a PEEP level of 4 cm H2O. All patients received volume-controlled ventilation with a tidal volume of 7 mL/kg of predicted body weight., Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was a composite of pulmonary complications within the first 5 postoperative days, including respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, bronchospasm, new pulmonary infiltrates, pulmonary infection, aspiration pneumonitis, pleural effusion, atelectasis, cardiopulmonary edema, and pneumothorax. Among the 9 prespecified secondary outcomes, 3 were intraoperative complications, including hypoxemia (oxygen desaturation with Spo2 ≤92% for >1 minute)., Results: Among 2013 adults who were randomized, 1976 (98.2%) completed the trial (mean age, 48.8 years; 1381 [69.9%] women; 1778 [90.1%] underwent abdominal operations). In the intention-to-treat analysis, the primary outcome occurred in 211 of 989 patients (21.3%) in the high level of PEEP group compared with 233 of 987 patients (23.6%) in the low level of PEEP group (difference, -2.3% [95% CI, -5.9% to 1.4%]; risk ratio, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.83 to 1.04]; P = .23). Among the 9 prespecified secondary outcomes, 6 were not significantly different between the high and low level of PEEP groups, and 3 were significantly different, including fewer patients with hypoxemia (5.0% in the high level of PEEP group vs 13.6% in the low level of PEEP group; difference, -8.6% [95% CI, -11.1% to 6.1%]; P < .001)., Conclusions and Relevance: Among obese patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia, an intraoperative mechanical ventilation strategy with a higher level of PEEP and alveolar recruitment maneuvers, compared with a strategy with a lower level of PEEP, did not reduce postoperative pulmonary complications., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02148692.

In routine practice, one lung ventilation (OLV) is initiated upon pleural opening. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to compare lung collapse after preemptive OLV versus conventional OLV in thoracoscopic surgery. A total of 67 patients were enrolled (34 with conventional OLV; 33 with preemptive OLV). Preemptive OLV was conducted by closing the DLT lumen to the non-ventilated lung immediately upon assuming the lateral position with the distal port closed to the atmosphere until pleural opening (>6 minutes in all cases). Lung collapse was assessed at 1, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 minutes after pleural opening using a 10-point rating scale (10: complete collapse). The primary end point was the duration from pleural opening to satisfactory lung collapse (score of 8). Secondary end points included PaO 2 and hypoxemia. The duration from pleural opening to satisfactory lung collapse was shorter in the preemptive OLV group (9.1 ± 1.2 vs. 14.1 ± 4.7 minutes, P < 0.01). PaO 2 was comparable between the two groups prior to anesthetic induction (T0), and 20 (T2), 40 minutes (T3) after pleural incision, but was lower in the preemptive OLV group at zero minutes after pleural incision (T1) (457.5 ± 19.0 vs. 483.1 ± 18.1 mmHg, P < 0.01). No patients in either group developed hypoxemia. In summary, preemptive OLV expedites lung collapse during thoracoscopic surgery with minimal safety concern., (© 2019 The Authors. Thoracic Cancer published by China Lung Oncology Group and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

To investigate the effect of lung expansion and collapse method combined with closed vacuum aspiration technique on lung collapse time, reduce the waiting time of surgery.Forty patients with pulmonary peripheral nodules under thoracoscopic anatomical segmentectomy were divided into 20 cases of natural collapse group and 20 cases of modified collapse group. The natural collapse group used the traditional natural collapse method, and the modified collapse group used a lung expansion and collapse method combined with closed vacuum aspiration technique to record the lung collapse time and compare them.Thoracoscopic anatomical segmentectomy was successfully performed in both groups. The lung collapse time in the natural collapse group and the modified collapse group was 17.08 ± 1.35, 8.90 ± 0.39, respectively, P < .05.The lung expansion and collapse method combined with closed vacuum aspiration technique can reduced the waiting time of lung collapse during thoracoscopic anatomical segmentectomy, and can processed the inter-segment boundary better, thereby reduced the waiting time of surgery.

Objectives: Lung ultrasound can reliably diagnose pulmonary atelectasis. The object of this study is to determine the most efficient region to assess changes in atelectasis in children with congenital heart disease under general anesthesia., Design: Randomized controlled trial., Setting: Operating room at university-affiliated children's hospital., Patients: Children between 3 months and 3 years old, scheduled for elective congenital heart disease surgery under general anesthesia., Interventions: Forty children with congenital heart disease were randomly allocated to either a 5 cm H2O positive end-expiratory pressure group or a standard therapy control group., Measurements and Main Results: Preoperative lung ultrasound was performed twice in each patient-after 1 and 15 minutes of mechanical ventilation. Atelectatic areas and B-lines were compared between two examinations. Different ultrasound regions were evaluated using Bland-Altman plots. The occurrence rate of atelectasis was much higher in inferoposterior lung regions (Scans 4-6) than in anterior and lateral regions (Scans 1-3). The median (interquartile range) lung ultrasound scores were lower in the positive end-expiratory pressure group than in the control group after treatment: 8 (3.3-9.8) versus 13 (8.3-17.5; p < 0.001). The atelectatic area was significantly decreased after treatment in the positive end-expiratory pressure group: 128 mm (34.5.5-213.3 mm) versus 49.5 mm (5.3-75.5 mm; p < 0.001). Bland-Altman plots revealed concordance between measurements in Scans 1-6 and those in Scans 4-6. In the posterior axillary line regions, changes in atelectatic area were significantly larger in the positive end-expiratory pressure group than in the control group (p = 0.03, 0.007, and 0.018)., Conclusions: Lung ultrasound in inferoposterior lung regions may be more likely to reflect changes in atelectasis and save examination time; 5 cm H2O positive end-expiratory pressure may be useful in lung reaeration and can reduce, but not eliminate, atelectasis in children with congenital heart disease.

Management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) depends on the symptoms and size of lung collapse. The British Thoracic Society recommends needle aspiration (NA) for all PSP requiring intervention, followed by intercostal drain (ICD) if NA fails. We compared the role of NA versus ICD as the first step in PSP with 'complete lung collapse'.This was a retrospective observational study of 877 consecutive pneumothorax episodes at University Hospitals of North Midlands, Stoke on Trent, UK. Chest X-ray (CXR) at presentation was reviewed to identify PSP with complete lung collapse. The primary outcome measure was successful lung re-inflation after initial intervention.Two-hundred and sixty-six PSP patients were identified; 69 had complete lung collapse on CXR of which 35 had NA and 34 had ICD. The ICD group had a significantly better immediate success compared with the NA group (62% versus 11%, odds ratio (OR) = 12.5, p<0.0001; after adjustment for potential confounders, OR increased to 26.4, p=0.0001) although long-term outcomes were comparable.There should be clear consensus on definition and management of complete lung collapse. PSP with complete lung collapse could be managed as a separate subgroup where ICD placement is considered to be the first intervention., (© Royal College of Physicians 2019. All rights reserved.)