title: Effects of thoracotomy on respiratory system, lung, and chest wall mechanics.
abstract: Nineteen rats were sedated, anesthetized, paralyzed, and mechanically ventilated. The respiratory, lung, and chest wall elastances (Est-rs, Est-L, Est-w); respiratory system, pulmonary, and chest wall total resistances (Rtot-rs, Rtot-L, Rtot-w); respiratory system, pulmonary, and chest wall initial resistances (Rinit-rs, Rinit-L, Rinit-w); and respiratory system, pulmonary, and chest wall difference resistances (Rdiff-rs, Rdiff-L, Rdiff-w) were determined before and after thoracotomy using the end-inflation occlusion method. Rinit reflects the Newtonian resistances and Rdiff represents the viscoelastic/inhomogeneous pressure dissipations in the system. Rtot = Rinit+Rdiff, ie, total resistance. The animals were submitted to either anterolateral thoracotomy (group A, n = 7), median sternotomy (group B, n = 6), or median sternotomy under PEEP while the lungs were exposed (group C, n = 6). In groups A and B, statistically significant increases in Rdiff-rs significantly augmented Rtot-rs. The former results were entirely secondary to significant increases in Rdiff-L, which naturally raised Rtot, L. Resistance was not altered in group C rats. Thus, anterolateral thoracotomy and median sternotomy increases Rtot-rs as a consequence of augmented Rdiff-L, but this finding could be prevented by the use of PEEP. Est-rs and Est-L increased in the three groups after surgery. Groups D and E were comprised of four animals each. Both underwent median sternotomy and in group E, PEEP was applied. Histopathologic examination of the lungs demonstrated a higher degree of lung collapse in group D.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundö, Brazil.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Pettersen
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Saldiva
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Zin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008297:Male; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration; D051381:Rats; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery; D013908:Thoracotomy; D013909:Thorax / Q000502:physiology*