Lung Recruitment Maneuvers for Postoperative Atelectasis Prevention After Idiopathic Adolescents' Scoliosis Correction

The recruitment maneuver will be performed by pressure controlled mode maintaining a steady airway pressure of 15 cmH2O, with 5 cmH2O increments in positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) until a peak pressure of 30 cmH2O will be achieved. Each PEEP level will be maintained for 5 sec. The peak airway pressure will be maintained for 10 sec or five breaths and subsequently reduced, followed by maintenance with the previous ventilator settings.

The recruitment maneuver will be performed under ultrasound guidance until no collapsed lung area was visible. The strategy to increase the airway pressure will be the same as that for the conventional maneuver, although the maximal pressure limit was 40 cmH2O.