Fresh Gas Flow and Lung Ultrasonography in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

This prospective randomized clinical trial aims to evaluate the effects of different fresh gas flow rates on postoperative pulmonary aeration using lung ultrasonography in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients will be randomly assigned to receive either low-flow anesthesia (0.5 L/min) or high-flow anesthesia (4 L/min) during maintenance of general anesthesia. The primary objective is to compare postoperative lung ultrasound scores and the incidence of atelectasis between the two groups.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 years or older. * American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-II. * Scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia. * Able and willing to provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Refusal to participate in the study. * History of chronic respiratory disease, including severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or bronchiolitis. * History of alcohol or substance abuse. * Intraoperative airway or respiratory complications during endotracheal intubation or surgery. * Life-threatening postoperative complications. * Patients with ASA physical status III or higher.