NCT00795964: Low versus high tidal volume during abdominal surgery

NCT00795964 compared intraoperative tidal volumes of 6 versus 12 mL/kg predicted body weight during major upper-abdominal surgery. Both groups received positive end-expiratory pressure of 5 cm H₂O. The randomized study included 101 patients and measured postoperative lung function, not just ventilation parameters during anesthesia. 1 2

The original report by Treschan and colleagues found no between-group improvement in postoperative lung function from the lower-volume strategy. The accompanying original dissertation documents day-one forced vital capacity of approximately 1.7 ± 0.6 L versus 1.6 ± 0.6 L, compared with baseline means around 3.0 L in both groups. Both groups experienced substantial postoperative decline; recovery over time was not evidence of a treatment-group advantage. 2 3

This is a result for the particular comparison, surgery population and accompanying ventilation settings. It is not a general recommendation to use high tidal volumes, and it should not be substituted for evidence in acute respiratory distress syndrome or for later protective-ventilation bundles. 2

Sources

1. ClinicalTrials.gov — ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT00795964. Original registration; establishes the exact study identity and registered methods.Original study registration · Original record checked against the registry API. Checked 2026-10-10. Registration and current registry fields do not by themselves establish efficacy. Historical details in the article retain their stated date. Supplied note: ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT00795964. Original registration; establishes the exact study identity and registered methods.

2. PubMed — Treschan et al. (2012). Ventilation with low tidal volumes during upper abdominal surgery does not improve postoperative lung function. British Journal of Anaesthesia…Research publication · Publication abstract read via Europe PMC; identifier and title cross-checked. Checked 2026-10-10. Full paper was not independently re-read for this update; abstract details should not be extended beyond what it reports.

3. Bastin, Bea Yvonne (2013). Original doctoral dissertation, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, deposited with the German National Library. PDF page 4 (printed summary page I) reports the trial's lung-function findings and page 3 identifies the journal publication — Bastin, Bea Yvonne (2013). Original doctoral dissertation, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, deposited with the German National Library. PDF page 4 (printed summary page I)…Cited supporting source · Link and description preserved from supplied research. Checked in supplied research dated 2026-10-10. Source description comes from supplied research; underlying page was not independently re-read for this update.