PEEP During Induction of Anesthesia in Small Children

The Effect of Positive End-expiratory Pressure During Induction of General Anesthesia on Atelectasis Formation and Non-hypoxic Apnea Time in Small Children: a Randomized Controlled Trials

Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) applied during induction of anesthesia prevents atelectasis formation and increases the duration of nonhypoxic apnea in obese and nonobese patients. PEEP also prevents atelectasis formation in pediatric patients. Because pediatric patients arterial desaturation during induction of anesthesia develops rapidly, we studied the clinical benefit of PEEP applied during anesthesia induction.

Inclusion Criteria:

• pediatric patients undergoing general anesthesia using endotracheal intubation

Exclusion Criteria:

• previous history of lung disease
• anticipated difficulty in airway management