Abstract

Bake, B. and Grimby, G. (1974).Thorax, 29, 366-370. Regional ventilation and gas exchange after hemicorporectomy. Maximum expiratory flow volume curves, gas exchange, closing volume, and regional distribution of lung volumes and ventilation were measured in a young man after hemicorporectomy.

The patient breathed at low lung volume, close to residual volume, and his total lung capacity was 63% of predicted normal. Maximum expiratory flows were normal at comparable lung volumes but the alveolo-arterial oxygen difference was increased at rest and during exercise. Closing volume exceeded functional residual capacity but was below predicted normal. Basal regions of the lungs were relatively hypoventilated and overexpanded.

Most of these findings are probably due to the low breathing mid-position and possibly also to other effects of altered abdominal mechanics.