Impact of combined diaphragm-lung ultrasound assessment on postoperative respiratory function in patients under general anesthesia recovery

Abstract Objectives The study aims to evaluate whether the ultrasonographic assessment of diaphragm and lung function in postanaesthesia care unit (PACU) can improve postoperative respiratory function recovery in patients under general anesthesia recovery. Methods This study enrolled 130 participants scheduled for elective abdominal surgery with planned postoperative transfer to PACU. Participants were randomized to either the diaphragm-lung ultrasound-guided group (group DL) or standard resuscitation group without ultrasound guidance (group N). The group DL received diaphragm and lung ultrasonography at four predefined intervals and intervention based on the ultrasound results was performed. The primary outcomes were the incidence of hypoxemia (PaO 2 /FiO 2 ≤300 mmHg) at discharge of PACU and the extubation time. The postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) within the first 7 days was measured as a key secondary outcome. Results Compared with the group N, the incidence of hypoxemia (p<0.01) and the extubation time (p<0.01) were significantly reduced in the group DL. There was no significant difference in the incidence of PPCs between the two groups (p>0.1). Conclusions Dynamic assessment of pulmonary and diaphragm function by ultrasound improved the recovery of respiratory function in patients but did not reduce the incidence of PPCs.