Prospective Observational Study of Pressure-Volume Curves and Respiratory Parameters in Oncology Patients Undergoing General Anesthesia

The purpose of this study was the evaluation of the pressure-volume (PV) curve and all possible complications as it appears on an anesthesia monitor and the recording of parameters such as PO2 and SpO2 intraoperatively and before intubation. The study took place in the Surgery Department of a highly qualified Cancer Memorial Hospital, included 90 oncology patients diagnosed with abdominal cancer, and was divided into three groups. Patients in Group A had a normal history of pulmonary function and body mass index values; Group B included patients with a history of obstructive lung disease; and Group C comprised patients with a history of restrictive lung disease. Ppeak and Pplat measurements at baseline were significantly higher for Group C. PO2 for Group A was consistently higher. FiO2 was higher throughout Group C. It was found that rates of cough and shortness of breath differed significantly among the groups regarding respiratory complications. The PV curve for Group A was characterized by a sigmoid form; there was a concavity in the curve primarily in the final part for Group B; and there was a steep slope of the flow-volume curve and decreased forced vital capacity in Group C. Monitoring lung function during general anesthesia may provide useful information to anesthetists and allow the quantification of the severity of respiratory disease. The creation of PV curves and the evaluation of its data presents valuable information about lung mechanics and ventilator setup and can be an ideal postoperative tool as well as during general anesthesia.