Effect of driving pressure-guided individualised positive end-expiratory pressure on postoperative atelectasis in patients with morbid obesity: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Atelectasis is a common postoperative complication in patients with obesity, contributing to respiratory insufficiency, pneumonia and poor clinical outcomes. Studies have shown that driving pressure (DP)-guided individualised positive end-expiratory pressure can improve respiratory mechanics and oxygenation, while also reducing the incidence of atelectasis and other postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). However, the effect of this ventilation strategy on patients with morbid obesity remains unclear.