Peep titration based on the open lung approach during one lung ventilation in thoracic surgery: a physiological study

During thoracic surgery in lateral decubitus, one lung ventilation (OLV) may impair respiratory mechanics and gas exchange. We tested a strategy based on an open lung approach (OLA) consisting in lung recruitment immediately followed by a decremental positive-end expiratory pressure (PEEP) titration to the best respiratory system compliance (CRS) and separately quantified the elastic properties of the lung and the chest wall. Our hypothesis was that this approach would improve gas exchange. Further, we were interested in documenting the impact of the OLA on partitioned respiratory system mechanics.