[High frequency jet ventilation as a form of artificial respiration in thoracic and abdominal surgery. Clinical experiences].

A total of 66 patients undergoing thoracic and abdominal surgery were ventilated with high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV), using frequencies of 100 cycles/min (n = 33), 150 cycles/min (n = 21), and 200 cycles/min (n = 12). Inspiratory time was 30% and FIO2 0.4 (abdominal) and 0.5 (thoracic) respectively. Normocarbia required minute-volumes of 215.0 +/- 47.4 ml/kg (100 cycles/min), 256.0 +/- 39.2 ml/kg (150 cycles/min), and 298.0 +/- 41.0 ml/kg (200 cycles/min) respectively. With HFJV paO2-values were significantly below those under conventional ventilation (118.5 mmHg versus 153.2 mmHg; 137.5 mmHg versus 165.5 mmHg; 136.4 mmHg versus 156.7 mmHg). Heart rate, arterial blood pressure, and central venous pressure showed no differences. With HFJV 8 patients revealed paO2-values below 80 mmHg, 3 patients had to be returned to conventional ventilation because of severe hypoxia. HFJV is considered of no advantage over conventional ventilation and may cause prodigious hypoxia in patients with pulmonary dysfunction. Therefore, HFJV cannot be recommended in thoracic and abdominal surgery.