Fresh Gas Flow Rate and Perioperative Lung Aeration Assessed by Lung Ultrasound in Septoplasty

This prospective, single-center observational cohort study evaluated the association between fresh gas flow rate during inhalational anesthesia and perioperative changes in lung aeration in adults undergoing elective surgery for nasal septal deviation. Participants were classified into two cohorts according to the fresh gas flow rate used during routine anesthesia care: 1 L/min or 3 L/min. The flow rate was selected independently by the attending anesthesiologist as part of routine clinical practice and was not assigned by the research protocol. Lung aeration was assessed using the modified lung ultrasound score before anesthesia, after tracheal intubation, before extubation, 15 minutes after admission to the post-anesthesia care unit, and before discharge from the post-anesthesia care unit. Perioperative oxygenation, hemodynamic variables, respiratory mechanics, and early postoperative recovery findings were also recorded.