Could less oxygen prevent lung collapse after surgery?
NCT ID NCT06538740
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This completed study tested whether using a lower oxygen concentration (70% or 40%) instead of the usual 100% oxygen right before removing a breathing tube reduces lung collapse (atelectasis) after surgery. Forty-eight adults having elective surgery under general anesthesia took part. Researchers used a special imaging technique called electrical impedance tomography to measure lung aeration. The goal was to see if a simple change in oxygen settings could prevent a common complication without causing oxygen drops.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If lower oxygen during extubation reduces lung collapse, it could lead to safer breathing tube removal practices in surgery.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study (48 patients) measuring lung changes with a specialized imaging technique, not clinical outcomes. Results may not change standard care or apply to all patients.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
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