title: [Atelectasis treatment by ventilatory support using an iron lung].
abstract: Total atelectasis of the left lung occurred in a 61-year-old woman after several weeks ventilator-assisted breathing following an operation for ileus, when the tracheal cannula was removed. It was quickly replaced and artificial ventilation resumed. But despite daily bronchoscopic suction for three weeks the patient's state failed to improve (vital capacity 39%, arterial pO2 47 mm Hg, pCO2 37 mm Hg). Mechanical ventilation with an "iron lung" was therefore instituted over a six month period, at first for two hours daily (as an in-patient) and then weekly (as out-patient). During this time her condition and general state clearly improved. On re-hospitalization to remove the tracheal cannula her vital capacity was 75%, pO2 78 mm Hg and pCO2 38 mm Hg.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Anästhesiologie IV im Krankenhaus Oststadt, Medizinische, Hochschule Hannover.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Knitsch
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pohl
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schultz
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fabel
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pichlmayr
mesh_terms: D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical; D014797:Vital Capacity
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen
vernacular_title: Atelektasenentfaltung durch Atemunterstützung mit der Eisernen Lunge.