No description available.

The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the effect of exercise training and inspiratory muscle training and to describe pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, physical performance and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) following lung cancer surgery. Study I was a randomised controlled trial including 78 patients radically operated for lung cancer. The intervention group received 10 sessions of supervised exercise training in addition to home-based exercise; the control group was instructed on home-exercise alone. Supervised compared to non-supervised exercise training did not result in differences between groups in HRQoL, except for the SF-36 bodily pain domain four months after the surgery. No effects of supervised training were found for any outcome after one year. Study II was descriptive and was based on the study I sample. We evaluated the course of recovery of HRQoL and physical performance up to one year following surgery. All patients improved HRQoL and physical performance one year after the surgery, reaching values comparable to a reference healthy population. The walked distance was positively associated with the SF-36 domain for physical functioning. Study III was descriptive, included 81 patients and evaluated the influence of surgery on respiratory muscle strength, lung function and physical performance two weeks and six months after surgery. We found that respiratory muscle strength was not affected after the second postoperative week and that muscle-sparring thoracotomy did not deteriorate respiratory muscle strength, compared to video-assisted thoracic surgery. Compared to preoperative values, physical performance was recovered, whereas lung function remained reduced six months postoperatively. Study IV was a randomised controlled trial including 68 patients at high risk of developing postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC). This study evaluated the effects of two weeks of postoperative inspiratory muscle training in addition to breathing exercises and early mobilisation on respiratory muscle strength and the incidence of PPC. Additional inspiratory muscle training did not increase respiratory muscle strength, but improved postoperative oxygenation. Respiratory muscle strength was recovered in both groups two weeks postoperatively.

Value of HRCT in the diagnostics of pulmonary complications of malignant haematologic diseases. Early diagnosis is one of the essential conditions for successful therapy of heamatologic malignancies and their complications. Imaging methods play an important role in their detection and patient's management. HRCT is the most contributing method in the diagnostics of pulmonary involvement, which is very common in this group of patients. The aim of this thesis was to find out the potential of this method in the diagnostics of pulmonary complications in patients with haematologic malignancy. For this purpose were assessed 4 objectives: 1) comparison between HRCT and chest X-ray; 2) determination of capability of HRCT to make a specific diagnose; 3) definition of indication criteria for HRCT and 4) assignment of the suitable examination technique. In the time period from January 2000 until December 2005 were performed 214 HRCT examinations of the lungs in the group of 162 patients with haematological malignancy and pulmonary symptomatology. 176 examinations were compared with chest X-ray, which was performed 48 hours or less before HRCT. Pulmonary lesion was discovered in 180 cases (84,1%). 123 findings were confirmed by another method (response to a specific therapy, cultivation, serology, BAL or...

Bien que la spirométrie incitative (SI) face partie intégrante des soins périopératoires, son utilisation et impact chez les patients demeurent incertaines, particulièrement lorsqu’elle est initiée en préopératoire. Dans cette étude clinique randomisée prospective à simple insu, l'objectif primaire était de déterminer si un programme préopératoire d'exercice inspiratoire basé sur la SI avait un impact sur les complications pulmonaires après une chirurgie thoracique. Un total de 141 patients à risque de complications pulmonaires a été analysé, soit 72 dans le groupe SI + soins usuels et 69 dans le groupe soins usuels. L'incidence de complications pulmonaires était de 38,3%. Une diminution significative de l’atélectasie pulmonaire avec impact clinique a été observée chez le groupe SI + soins usuels en comparaison au groupe soins usuels (SI + soins usuels 9,7% vs soins usuels 23,2%, p = 0,031). L'impact semblait bénéficier davantage aux patients ayant eu une VATS ou lobectomie pulmonaire. Dans une analyse multivariée tenant compte des facteurs confondants, le groupe soins usuels développait plus d’atélectasie pulmonaire avec impact clinique que le groupe SI + soins usuels (OR 3,046, IC95% :1,108 - 8,372). L'incidence des autres complications pulmonaires était similaire entre les deux groupes. Le séjour hospitalier était de < 3 jours dans 34,7% du groupe SI + soins usuels et dans 20,3% du groupe soins usuels (p = 0,062). Donc, l'initiation de la spirométrie incitative en préopératoire chez les patients à risque de complications pulmonaires pourrait faire partie des stratégies de prévention utilisées en préhabilitation. / Although incentive spirometry (IS) is an integral part of perioperative care, its impact on pulmonary complications remains unclear, particularly when initiated preoperatively. In this randomized, single-blind prospective clinical study, the primary objective was to determine if a preoperative inspiratory exercise program based on IS had an impact on pulmonary complications after a thoracic surgery. A total of 141 patients at risk of pulmonary complications were analyzed, 72 in the IS + usual care group and 69 in the usual care group. In our study, the incidence of pulmonary complications was 38.3%. A significant decrease in pulmonary atelectasis with clinical impact was observed in the IS + usual care group compared to the usual care group (IS + usual care 9.7% vs usual care 23.2%, p = 0.031). The impact seemed to benefit patients who had a VATS or pulmonary lobectomy. In a multivariable analysis considering confounding factors, the usual care group developed more pulmonary atelectasis with clinical impact than the IS + usual care group (OR 3.046, 95%CI:1.108 - 8.372). The incidence of other pulmonary complications was similar between the two groups. The hospital stay was < 3 days in 34.7% of the IS + usual care group and in 20.3% of the usual care group (p = 0,062). In conclusion, the initiation of IS preoperatively in patients at risk of pulmonary complications could be part of the prevention strategies used in prehabilitation.

No description available.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-06T17:07:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JERUSA SCHNAIDER.pdf: 524187 bytes, checksum: a96a56d066b471f07ff2853d2a241700 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-07-27 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Surgical procedures may affect respiratory muscles through various mechanisms. Previous patient´s health conditions may also contribute to increase this dysfunction. The objective of this study was to verify if respiratory muscle strength in the preoperative phase could influence the outcomes after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). It was an descriptive and prospective, cohort-type study, conducted in the Instituto de Cardiologia de Santa Catarina (ICSC), located in the city of São José/SC. The cohort was composed of male adults of any age and post menopause women waiting for elective RM surgery, without previous history of cardiac surgery, or recent aneurism and unstable angina. 28 patients were consecutively evaluated between the months of August and November of 2008, and the final cohort was composed of 24 individuals: 18 male adults and 6 women. Due to the preoperative evaluation of Respiratory Muscle Strength (RMS) 2 groups were formed: G1, composed of individuals with standard RMS value (n=13); and G2 (n=11), with abnormal RMS results (inspiratory pressure, Pimax, lower than 70% of the predicted value). In inferential statistics, we decided to adopt the Fisher´s exact and Mann-Whitney tests, besides risk calculations for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC), expressed by Relative Risk measurements (RR) Odds Ratio (OR) and with significance level of 5%. The results show that the groups were homogeneous, showing no significant difference in either the patients preoperative profile in both groups or in the surgical procedures conducted. There was a high prevalence of respiratory muscle dysfunction in preoperative: 46% of the patients had PImax < 70% of the predicted value, 20,83% also presented PEmax <70% of the predicted value and abnormal postoperative spirometry. There was a significant reduction of RMS from pre to postoperative in both groups, where PImax and PEmax were significantly lower in G2 also in post operative. Postoperative evolution data, like mechanical ventilation time, ICU time, postoperative hospitalization, time degree of PPC did not estatistically differ between the groups. It was found an increase in the risk for G2 patients to develop PPC in relation to G1, with RR of 2.36 (IC 95% between 0.7636 and 7.316) and OR of 4.00 (IC 95% between 0.6927 and 23.099), although without statistical confirmation, probably due to the small sample. / O procedimento cirúrgico pode afetar os músculos respiratórios por vários mecanismos, e ainda contribuem para o aumento dessa disfunção as condições prévias dos pacientes. O objetivo da pesquisa foi verificar se a força muscular respiratória na fase pré-operatória poderia influenciar nos desfechos após a cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio (RM). O estudo foi descritivo e prospectivo, tipo coorte, realizado no Instituto de Cardiologia de Santa Catarina localizado no município de São José/SC. Foram incluídos homens adultos de qualquer idade e mulheres pós-menopausa, aguardando cirurgia de RM eletiva, sem história de cirurgia cardíaca anterior, ou aneurisma e angina instável recente. Avaliou-se 28 pacientes consecutivamente entre os meses de agosto e novembro de 2008, e a amostra final foi composta de 24 indivíduos: 18 adultos homens e 6 mulheres. Em decorrência da avaliação pré-operatória de força muscular respiratória (FMR), formaram-se 2 grupos: G1 constituído por indivíduos com FMR com valores considerados normais (n=13), e G2 (n=11) com resultados anormais de FMR (pressão inspiratória - PImax - menor que 70% do previsto). Na estatística inferencial optou-se pelos testes exato de Fisher e Mann-Whitney, além do cálculo de risco para complicações pulmonares pós-operatórias (CPP), expresso pelas medidas de Risco Relativo (RR) e Odds Ratio (OR), com nível de significância de 5%. Os resultados mostram que os grupos eram homogêneos não havendo diferença significativa nem no perfil pré-operatório dos participantes dos dois grupos, nem quanto aos procedimentos cirúrgicos realizados. Houve alta prevalência de disfunção muscular respiratória no pré-operatório: 46% dos indivíduos tinham PImax < 70% do previsto, 20,83% apresentavam também PEmax <70% do previsto e espirometria pré-operatória anormal. Houve uma redução significativa da FMR do pré para o pós-operatório em ambos os grupos, sendo que PImax e PEmax foram significativamente menores no G2 também no pós-operatório. Dados da evolução pós-operatória como tempo de ventilação mecânica, tempo de internação em UTI, tempo de internação pós-operatória, grau de CPP, não diferiram estatisticamente entre os grupos. Foi encontrado um aumento do risco para os pacientes do G2 desenvolverem CPP em relação ao G1, com RR de 2,364 (IC 95% entre 0,7636 e 7,316) e OR de 4,00 (IC 95% entre 0,6927 e 23,099), porém sem confirmação estatística provavelmente devido a amostra reduzida.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The incidence of post-operative pulmonary complications is large, in consequence of the manipulation of abdominal cavity with changes on pulmonary volumes and capacities, resulting in atelectasis and hypoxemy. Alteration of breath pattern in association with postoperative pain can interfere in gaseous exchanges with larger repercussions in the presence of risk factors. Respiratory rate and arterial blood gases have an important role on the assessment of lung function, specifically on pulmonary ventilation and gaseous exchanges, monitoring carbonic gas arterial pressure and oxygen arterial pressure. The objectives of this research were: analyze the influence of respiratory rate on arterial blood gases at immediate postoperative of exploratory laparotomy for trauma, observe arterial gases concentrations, respiratory rate and oxygenation index in the first three post-operative days. Moreover, analyze if there is a correlation between respiratory rate on arterial gases, and carbonic gas arterial pressure on oxygen arterial pressure in the first three post-operative days. It was a non-experimental cohort study of analytic and descriptive character from April to September 2005 at Governador João Alves Filho Hospital, in Aracaju, during the first three postoperative days. 55 patients of both gender with ages between 18 to 62 were assessed, submitted to exploratory laparotomy for trauma in urgent character. As criteria for inclusion, there were urgency surgical procedures, with xipho-pubic incision, general anesthesia with time larger or equal to 120 minutes, where the respiratory rate and arterial blood collected were measured according to American Association for Respiratory Care guidelines to assess arterial blood gases partial pressures. After collecting the blood the PaCO2 and PaO2 values were achieved and calculated the oxygenation index through PaO2/FiO2 formula. The data were analyzed by SPSS 10.0 software through median, and standard deviation, ANOVA test to analyze the variation between the average median, Tukey test to analyze the difference between significant median and simple linear correlation to observe the behavior of tendencies among the variables, all in significance level of 95% or p<0,05. the study was approved by Ethics Committees of Human Search of Federal University of Sergipe. The outcomes showed median for respiratory rate from 27,49 ±5,31 bpm (24 h), 25,35 ± 5,32 bpm (48 h), 24,15 ± 3,94 bpm (72 h). For PaCO2 median of 32,84 ± 4,49 mmHg (24 h), 33,65 ± 3,36 mmHg (48 h), 34,04 ± 3,73 mmHg (72 h). For PaO2 median of 85,29 ± 18,30 mmHg (24 h), 87,53 ± 17,56 mmHg (48 h), 89,31 ± 16,57 mmHg (72 h). The analysis of median in the first three post-operative days by ANOVA presented statistic significance only for respiratory rate (p<0,05), while for PaCO2 and PaO2 presented p>0,05. Comparing the variables, it was observed correlation between RR x PaCO2 regular in 24 h (r= - 0,42604), weak in 48 and 72 h (r= - 0,23857 and -0,02807), between RR x PaO2 weak correlations at 24, 48 and 72 h (r= 0,02339, 0,02305 and -0,0505). This was, our survey concludes that RR presented a significant variance at the three post-operative days and a significant correlation of RR and PaCO2 / A incidência de complicação pulmonar pós-operatória é grande, decorrente da manipulação da cavidade abdominal com modificação dos volumes e capacidades pulmonares e resultando em hipoxemia e atelectasia. Alteração do padrão respiratório juntamente com a dor no pósoperatório podem interferir nas trocas gasosas com maiores repercussões na presença de fatores de risco. A freqüência respiratória e a gasometria arterial têm papel importante na avaliação da função pulmonar, especificamente na ventilação pulmonar e nas trocas gasosas, monitorando a pressão arterial de gás carbônico e a pressão arterial de oxigênio. Foram objetivos da pesquisa: analisar a influência da freqüência respiratória sobre os gases sanguíneos arteriais no pós-operatório imediato de laparotomia exploradora por trauma, observar as concentrações dos gases arteriais, a freqüência respiratória e o índice de oxigenação nos três primeiros dias de pós-operatório, avaliar se existe correlação da freqüência respiratória sobe os gases arteriais e da pressão arterial de gás carbônico sobre a pressão arterial de oxigênio nos três primeiros dias de pós-operatório. Esta foi uma pesquisa de campo com delineamento não-experimental do tipo coorte transversal e de caráter analítico e descritivo realizada no período de abril a setembro de 2005 no Hospital Governador João Alves Filho, na cidade de Aracaju, durante os três primeiros dias de pós-operatório. Foram avaliados 55 pacientes com idade de 18 a 62 anos de ambos os sexos, submetidos a laparotomia exploradora por trauma abdominal em caráter de urgência. Foram utilizados critérios para inclusão o procedimento cirúrgico de urgência, com incisão xifo-púbica, anestesia geral com tempo maior ou igual a 120 minutos, onde foi mensurado a freqüência respiratória e coletado sangue arterial segundo protocolo da American Association for Respiratory Care para análise das pressões parciais dos gases sanguíneos arteriais. Após a coleta de sangue foram obtidos os valores de PaCO2 e PaO2 e calculado o índice de oxigenação através da fórmula PaO2/FiO2. Os dados obtidos foram analisados pelo software SPSS 10.0 através de média e desvio-padrão, teste ANOVA para análise de variância entre as médias, teste Tukey para análise da diferença entre as médias significantes e a Correlação Linear Simples para observar os comportamentos de tendências entre as variáveis, todos utilizados para nível de significância de 95% ou p<0,05. A pesquisa foi aprovada pelo comitê de ética em pesquisa em seres humanos da Universidade Federal de Sergipe. Os resultados apresentaram média para a frequência respiratória de 27,49 ± 5,31 irpm (24hs), 25,35 ± 5,32 irpm (48hs), 24,15 ± 3,94 irpm (72hs), para a PaCO2 médias de 32,84 ± 4,49 mmHg (24hs), 33,65 ± 3,36 mmHg (48hs), 34,04 ± 3,73 mmHg (72hs), para a PaO2 médias de 85,29 ± 18,30 mmHg (24hs), 87,53 ± 17,56 mmHg (48hs), 89,31 ± 16,57 (72hs). A análise das médias nos três primeiros dias pelo ANOVA apresentou significância estatística apenas para a frequência respiratória (p<0,05), enquanto para a PaCO2 e PaO2 apresentaram p>0,05. Comparando-se as variáveis observamos correlação entre a FR x PaCO2 regular nas 24hs (r = -0,42604), fraca nas 48 e 72 hs (r = -0,23857 e 0,02807), entre a FR x PaO2 fraca nas 24 hs (r = -0,28128) e regular nas 48 (r= -0,32166) e fraco nas 72 hs (r= 0,28597), entre PaCO2 x PaO2 correlações fracas nas 24,48 e 72hs (r = 0, 023339, 0,2305 e 0,0505). Concluímos em nossa pesquisa que a FR apresentou variação significativa nos três dias de pós-operatório e uma correlação significativa da FR e PaCO2 no 1º dia de pós-operatório e da FR e PaO2 nos três primeiros dias de pós-operatório.

INTRODUÇÃO: Estudos recentes sugerem que o uso da estratégia protetora de ventilação mecânica no intra-operatório pode reduzir a incidência de complicações pulmonares pós-operatórias (CPP). O objetivo desta meta-análise de dados individuais de pacientes é avaliar o efeito independente do volume corrente e da pressão positiva ao final da expiração (PEEP) na ocorrência de CPP. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos ensaios clínicos randomizados que compararam a estratégia protetora de ventilação mecânica com a estratégia convencional em pacientes submetidos à anestesia para cirurgia. O desfecho primário foi o desenvolvimento de CPP. Diversos fatores prognósticos pré-definidos foram testados por meio da regressão logística multivariada. RESULTADOS: Quatorze ensaios clínicos randomizados foram incluídos (2.095 pacientes). Houve 97 casos de CPP em 1.102 pacientes (8,8%) ventilados com a estratégia protetora e 148 casos em 993 pacientes (14,9%) ventilados com a estratégia convencional (risco ajustado relativo [RR], 0,64; 95% intervalo de confiança [IC], 0,46 - 0,88, p < 0,01). Houve 85 casos de CPP em 957 pacientes (8,9%) ventilados com volume corrente baixo e PEEP alto e 63 casos em 525 pacientes (12%) ventilados com volume corrente baixo e PEEP baixo (RR, 0,93; 95% CI, 0,64 - 1,37, p = 0,72). Foi encontrada uma relação de dose-resposta entre o aparecimento de CPP e o volume corrente (R2 por meio termo quadrático = 0,390), mas não entre o aparecimento de CPP e o nível de PEEP (R2 = 0,082). A manutenção de uma driving pressure inferior a 13 cmH2O durante a cirurgia está associado a menor incidência de síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo (SDRA). CONCLUSÃO: Esta meta-análise de dados individuais suporta os efeitos benéficos da estratégia protetora de ventilação mecânica em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia e sugere que altos níveis de PEEP, na vigência de volume corrente baixo, não acrescentam benefícios / INTRODUCTION: Recent studies show that intraoperative mechanical ventilation using low tidal volumes can prevent postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC). The aim of this individual patient data meta-analysis is to evaluate the individual associations between tidal volume size and PEEP level, and occurrence of PPC. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials comparing protective ventilation and conventional ventilation in patients undergoing general surgery were screened for inclusion. The primary outcome was development of PPC. Predefined prognostic factors were tested using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Fourteen randomized controlled trials were included (2095 patients). There were 97 cases of PPC in 1102 patients (8.8%) assigned to protective ventilation and 148 cases in 993 patients (14.9%) assigned to conventional ventilation (adjusted relative risk [RR], 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.46 - 0.88; p < 0.01). There were 85 cases of PPC in 957 patients (8.9%) assigned to ventilation with low tidal volume and high PEEP levels and 63 cases in 525 patients (12%) assigned to ventilation with low tidal volume and low PEEP levels (RR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.64 - 1.37; p = 0.72). A dose-response relationship was found between the appearance of PPC and tidal volume size (R2 for mean quadratic term = 0.390), but not between the appearance of PPC and PEEP level (R2 = 0.082). The maintenance of a driving pressure below 13 cmH2O during surgery is associated with reduced incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome. CONCLUSION: This individual data meta-analysis supports the beneficial effects of protective ventilation settings in patients undergoing surgery and suggests no benefit from high PEEP levels with use of low tidal volume

INTRODUÇÃO: Estudos recentes sugerem que o uso da estratégia protetora de ventilação mecânica no intra-operatório pode reduzir a incidência de complicações pulmonares pós-operatórias (CPP). O objetivo desta meta-análise de dados individuais de pacientes é avaliar o efeito independente do volume corrente e da pressão positiva ao final da expiração (PEEP) na ocorrência de CPP. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos ensaios clínicos randomizados que compararam a estratégia protetora de ventilação mecânica com a estratégia convencional em pacientes submetidos à anestesia para cirurgia. O desfecho primário foi o desenvolvimento de CPP. Diversos fatores prognósticos pré-definidos foram testados por meio da regressão logística multivariada. RESULTADOS: Quatorze ensaios clínicos randomizados foram incluídos (2.095 pacientes). Houve 97 casos de CPP em 1.102 pacientes (8,8%) ventilados com a estratégia protetora e 148 casos em 993 pacientes (14,9%) ventilados com a estratégia convencional (risco ajustado relativo [RR], 0,64; 95% intervalo de confiança [IC], 0,46 - 0,88, p < 0,01). Houve 85 casos de CPP em 957 pacientes (8,9%) ventilados com volume corrente baixo e PEEP alto e 63 casos em 525 pacientes (12%) ventilados com volume corrente baixo e PEEP baixo (RR, 0,93; 95% CI, 0,64 - 1,37, p = 0,72). Foi encontrada uma relação de dose-resposta entre o aparecimento de CPP e o volume corrente (R2 por meio termo quadrático = 0,390), mas não entre o aparecimento de CPP e o nível de PEEP (R2 = 0,082). A manutenção de uma driving pressure inferior a 13 cmH2O durante a cirurgia está associado a menor incidência de síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo (SDRA). CONCLUSÃO: Esta meta-análise de dados individuais suporta os efeitos benéficos da estratégia protetora de ventilação mecânica em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia e sugere que altos níveis de PEEP, na vigência de volume corrente baixo, não acrescentam benefícios / INTRODUCTION: Recent studies show that intraoperative mechanical ventilation using low tidal volumes can prevent postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC). The aim of this individual patient data meta-analysis is to evaluate the individual associations between tidal volume size and PEEP level, and occurrence of PPC. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials comparing protective ventilation and conventional ventilation in patients undergoing general surgery were screened for inclusion. The primary outcome was development of PPC. Predefined prognostic factors were tested using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Fourteen randomized controlled trials were included (2095 patients). There were 97 cases of PPC in 1102 patients (8.8%) assigned to protective ventilation and 148 cases in 993 patients (14.9%) assigned to conventional ventilation (adjusted relative risk [RR], 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.46 - 0.88; p < 0.01). There were 85 cases of PPC in 957 patients (8.9%) assigned to ventilation with low tidal volume and high PEEP levels and 63 cases in 525 patients (12%) assigned to ventilation with low tidal volume and low PEEP levels (RR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.64 - 1.37; p = 0.72). A dose-response relationship was found between the appearance of PPC and tidal volume size (R2 for mean quadratic term = 0.390), but not between the appearance of PPC and PEEP level (R2 = 0.082). The maintenance of a driving pressure below 13 cmH2O during surgery is associated with reduced incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome. CONCLUSION: This individual data meta-analysis supports the beneficial effects of protective ventilation settings in patients undergoing surgery and suggests no benefit from high PEEP levels with use of low tidal volume

Background: General anesthesia usually requires mechanical ventilation, which is traditionally accomplished with constant tidal volumes in volume- or pressure-controlled modes. Experimental studies suggest that the use of variable tidal volumes (variable ventilation) recruits lung tissue, improves pulmonary function and reduces systemic inflammatory response. However, it is currently not known whether patients undergoing open abdominal surgery might benefit from intraoperative variable ventilation. Methods/Design: The PROtective VARiable ventilation trial ('PROVAR') is a single center, randomized controlled trial enrolling 50 patients who are planning for open abdominal surgery expected to last longer than 3 hours. PROVAR compares conventional (non-variable) lung protective ventilation (CV) with variable lung protective ventilation (VV) regarding pulmonary function and inflammatory response. The primary endpoint of the study is the forced vital capacity on the first postoperative day. Secondary endpoints include further lung function tests, plasma cytokine levels, spatial distribution of ventilation assessed by means of electrical impedance tomography and postoperative pulmonary complications. Discussion: We hypothesize that VV improves lung function and reduces systemic inflammatory response compared to CV in patients receiving mechanical ventilation during general anesthesia for open abdominal surgery longer than 3 hours. PROVAR is the first randomized controlled trial aiming at intra- and postoperative effects of VV on lung function. This study may help to define the role of VV during general anesthesia requiring mechanical ventilation.