Physiological effects of respiratory failure after paediatric surgery.
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.
Child, Preschool↗