Post-operative respiratory management in infants

Regarding postoperative respiratory management in infants, their postoperative circulatory and respiratory conditions are quite different among medical centers. The lung functions of infants are still immature. Respiratory rate of infants decreases from the birth (just after birth ; 47, 12 months ; 26 cycles·mimute^-1). Tidal volume increases with body weight (just after birth ; 23.8, 12 months ; 89.1 ml), and tidal volume per body weight is constant (6.9-9.0 ml·kg^-1). When we perform postoperative respiratory managements, we must discuss the ventilatory mode to use, permissible airway pressure, and values of blood gas analysis among postoperative care team. In infants with acute lung injury, we should select high frequency oscillation (HFO) according to lung protective ventilatory strategy theory (low tidal volume + open lung approach).