A Rebreather for Prophylaxis and Treatment of Postoperative Respiratory Complications

¹ Buffalo General Hospital and the Department of Surgery, State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine

The incidence of atelectasis following major surgery remains practically unchanged. Of the many methods in use for the prevention and treatment of postoperative respiratory complications, a dead space rebreathing device has appeal because of its simplicity and effectiveness. The new rebreather presented here is a light compact rebreathing device of 1,000 ml capacity that patients find to be effective and easy to use without assistance. Arterial blood studies and ventilation recordings show an increased depth of breathing in response to the rise in arterial CO₂ tension during use of the rebreather. Very deep intermittent breaths are commonly encountered with use of the rebreather. Periodic deep breaths effectively counteract the quiet shallow breathing pattern predisposing patients to the development of atelectasis and pneumonia. The improved oxygenation seen in many patients with low resting arterial oxygen tensions suggests that deep breaths open collapsed alveoli.