Effect of Equal Ratio Ventilation on Respiratory Mechanics and Oxygenation During Volume-Controlled Ventilation in Pediatric Patients

Purpose Children have few small alveoli, which reduce lung compliance; in contrast, their cartilaginous rib cage makes chest wall highly compliant. This combination promotes collapse. Prolonged inspiratory to expiratory (I:E) ratio ventilation is used optimize gas exchange and respiratory mechanics surgery. However, the optimal unclear children. We hypothesized that, compared a 1:2 I:E ratio, 1:1 would improve dynamic compliance oxygenation, affect peak airway pressure pediatric patients undergoing Materials methods Forty-eight aged ≤6 years who were scheduled undergo surgery under general anesthesia with an arterial line randomly allocated receive (group 1:1) or 1:2) ventilation. Airway pressure, system compliance, blood analyses between groups immediately after induction (T0), 30 min (T1), 60 (T2), (T3), on arrival at post-anesthesia care unit (T4). Results Peak plateau pressures significantly lower group than T1 (p=0.044 0.048, respectively). The static compliances higher 0.045, partial of oxygen did not differ groups. Conclusion Compared improved lowered without complications patients. Nevertheless, our results do support its use solely for improving oxygenation.