Physiological effects of respiratory failure after paediatric surgery.

Abstract

Having taking into consideration those pathological conditions in which great difficulties are encountered during the conduction of artificial ventilation the author describes a simple method for investigating the volume of the lungs by means of whole-body plethysmography. A modified Drinker's respirator was used as a plethysmograph. In studies of children after cordiosurgical operations CPAP was found to be particularly useful for improving arterial blood oxgenation in cases with low pulmonary compliance. The method led to a clinically observed reduction of respiratory work. Hypoxia during ventilation with a high-oxygen mixture may depend on a decreased pulmonary volume and the aim of treatment should be to improve this condition.