[Intraoperative application of forced diffusion-ventilation (FDV)]

Forced diffusion ventilation (FDV), a modified high frequency jet ventilation (HFJV), was applied intraoperatively (mean duration: 126 min) in 14 patients (7 thoracic, 7 major abdominal surgery patients). Sufficient gas exchange could be achieved with extremely low tidal volumes (10-30 ml) at frequencies up to 1500/min. This resulted in an almost complete immobilization of the lungs allowing an excellent surgical exposure.