בשל "הגנת זכויות יוצרים" מובא להלן קישור לתקציר המאמר. לקריאתו בטקסט מלא, אנא פנה/י לספרייה הרפואית הזמינה לך. 

During general anaesthesia, several conditions that occur can promote atelectasis. Induction of anaesthesia is usually conducted with inspired oxygen fraction ( F io 2) as high as 100%.

The main goal of this approach is to provide a safety margin for apnoea whilst the anaesthetist places an artificial airway.

The increase in available oxygen reserves makes haemoglobin oxygen saturation less likely to decrease to dangerous levels if multiple attempts and longer times are required, or if intubation fails.

However, washout of lung nitrogen promotes instability of perfused but poorly ventilated lung zones, which will ultimately collapse.

In addition, neuromuscular blocking agents are usually required to enhance conditions for laryngoscopy and facilitate tracheal intubation.

Paralysis of the diaphragm leads to increased intra-pleural pressure in the dorsal–caudal lung regions, further decreasing the mechanical stability of those zones, which can also result in alveolar collapse.

Patients kept immobilised during surgery, usually in supine position and for certain surgical procedures in Trendelenburg position, expose the dependent parts of lungs to prolonged higher pressure transmitted from mediastinal and intra-abdominal structures. Such changes are intensified with laparoscopic surgery.

Thus, patients undergoing surgery with general anaesthesia develop atelectasis, and anaesthetists are particularly concerned about older 1 and obese 2 patients.