Effects of abdominal opening on respiratory system mechanics in ventilated rats

In 16 anesthetized paralyzed mechanically ventilated rats, respiratory system mechanics and rib cage dimensions were determined both before and after wide abdominal opening. In eight animals the end-inflation occlusion method disclosed statistically significant postoperative increases in respiratory system elastance (from 4.84 to 6.49 cmH2O.ml-1) and resistance (from 0.224 to 0.300 cmH2O.ml-1.s); the latter resulted from a rise of its uneven component (from 0.161 to 0.209 cmH2O.ml-1.s). In the remaining rats, rib cage morphometry at functional residual capacity after surgery showed significant decreases in lower rib cage circumference and anteroposterior and lateral diameters, whereas there was an increase in upper rib cage circumference and a fall in its lateral diameter. When these parameters were measured at end-inspiratory lung volume, the difference between intact and open abdomen were less striking; only lower rib cage circumference and upper rib cage lateral diameter significantly decreased postoperatively. Because surgery induced an expiratory volume of only 0.1 ml, it can be concluded that abdominal opening redistributed regional volumes within the lung, leading to increased unevenness in the system.