Recruitment manoeuvres are transient increases in transpulmonary pressure designed to open up collapsed airless alveoli. Primarily used in severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
A 19 year old male is admitted after a severe traumatic brain injury. Due to refractory intracranial hypertension he is intubated and receiving 20mg an hour of morphine, 20mg an hour of midazolam and 200mg an hour of propofol.