The effects of low and high current anesthesia in prone position on respiratory mechanics

Background: We aimed to evaluate the applicability of low-flow anesthesia in surgical procedures performed in the prone position and its effects on respiratory mechanics. Materials and Methods: Eighty-four patients who will undergo lumbar spine surgery in the prone position under general anesthesia under elective conditions were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups as low-flow anesthesia and high-flow anesthesia. Demographic data and hemodynamic parameters of the patients were evaluated. The airway peak pressure, airway plateau pressure and compliance parameters in the prone position of both groups were compared. Results: There was no difference between the two groups in terms of demographic data and hemodynamic parameters of the patients. In the low flow group, the increase in the airway peak pressure and the increase in the airway plateau pressure increased less than the high flow group, while the decrease in the low flow group showed less decrease in the high flow group than the high flow group. Conclusion: Low flow anesthesia applications performed in the prone position significantly reduce the increase in peak and mean airway pressures and the decrease in compliance.