The open lung concept of mechanical ventilation: the role of recruitment and stabilization.

This article describes the pathophysiologic basis and clinical role for lung recruitment maneuvers. It reviews the literature and presents the authors' clinical experience of over 15 years in the collaboration between Erasmus MC and the University of Rochester. The authors are hopeful that these lung-protective strategies are presented in a useful format that may be useful to the practicing intensivist, thus bringing laboratory and clinical research to bedside practice.