INTRODUCTION: Impairment of global and regional pulmonary ventilations is a well-known consequence of general anesthesia. Positive expiratory pressure (PEP) or incentive spirometry (IS) is commonly prescribed, albeit their efficacy is poorly demonstrated. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of PEP and IS on lung ventilation and recruitment in patients after surgery involving anesthesia using electrical impedance tomography (EIT). METHOD: Ten male subjects (age 61.2 +/- 16.3 years; BMI 25.3 +/- 3.8 kg/m2), free of pulmonary disease before being anesthetized, were recruited. Two series of manoeuvers (PEP and volume-oriented IS) were randomly performed with quiet breathing interposed between these phases. Pulmonary ventilation (delta EELVVT (i to e)) and recruitment (delta EELI) were evaluated continuously in a semi-seated position during all phases by EIT. Comparisons between rest and treatment were performed by Wilcoxon signed rank test. Rest phases were compared by a mixed ANOVA. Bonferroni method was used for post-hoc comparisons. RESULTS: delta EELVVT (i to e) and deltaEELI were significantly increased by both techniques (+422% (p < 0.001); +138% (p = 0.040) and +296% (p < 0.001); +638% (p < 0.001) for PEP and IS, respectively). No difference was observed between both manoeuvers neither on ventilation nor on recruitment. This positive effect disappeared during the quiet breathing phases. CONCLUSION: IS and PEP improved ventilation and recruitment instantaneously without remnant effect after stopping the exercise.

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