Smarter breathing during back surgery may shield lungs

This study tested a new way of using a breathing machine during back surgery to see if it helps protect patients' lungs. 72 adults having lumbar stabilization surgery were randomly assigned to either the new method (which adjusts breathing based on real-time lung stiffness) or standard care. The main goal was to measure lung aeration loss after surgery using ultrasound, with secondary goals tracking complications like pneumonia or low oxygen levels.