[Gas exchange and pulmonary mechanics under anaesthesia and artificial ventilation (author's transl)]

During general anaesthesia with controlled ventilation and normocapnia the A-a DO2 and pulmonary shunt were investigated in a group of 7 patients undergoing a parotidectomy or laryngectomy. In a second group of 21 patients the behaviour of the total, lung- and thorax compliance was investigated. Within the first 1 1/2 hours after induction of anesthesia the A-a DO2 and shunt increased. During the time the thorax compliance did not change, whereas the total and lung compliance decreased significantly. After 1 1/2 hours no further change occured.