A randomised controlled study for effectiveness of ultrasound guided regular alveolar recruitment upon pre-extubation lung atelectasis in pediatric population below 2 years ofage, undergoing posterior sagittal anorectoplasty surgery.

Atelectasis is a common complication in paediatric patients undergoing general anaesthesia, particularly in those under three years old, due to their reduced functional residual capacity and increased airway collapsibility. This randomised controlled interventional study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of regular alveolar recruitment using ultrasound in preventing intraoperative lung atelectasis in paediatric patients undergoing PSARP surgery in the prone position.

The study will compare two groups, one receiving a single alveolar recruitment manoeuvre at the start of the surgery and the other undergoing hourly alveolar recruitment. Lung ultrasound will be used to assess lung consolidation and B- line scores before extubation, The primary objective is to determine whether alveolar recruitment significantly reduces the incidence of pre- extubation atelectasis.

The null hypothesis states that there is no significant difference in occurrence of atelectasis between the two groups, and the alternative hypothesis proposes that regular recruitment reduces atelectasis. The study’s findings could provide valuable insights into optimizing intraoperative ventilation strategies to improve respiratory outcomes in paediatric anaesthesia.