As stated above cyclical recruitment and derecruitment has been shown a mechanism of VALI. It has further been demonstrated that PaO2-oscillations in the systemic circulation are transmitted to endorgans (i.e. brain, kidney and other peripheral organs). There have no studies quantifying PaO2- or SpO2-oscillations in human subjects. The rationale of this study is to measure non-invasively SpO2-oscillations throughout the respiratory cycle as PaO2 oscillations cannot easily be detected. We will analyse SpO2-oscillations in a cohort of post-operative patients. Atelectasis is a major risk factor for pulmonary complications. As it occurs in up to 90% of surgical patients this phenomenon is highly relevant. Patients with large areas of atelectatic lung tissue are prone to cyclical recruitment and derecruitment and consecutive SpO2-oscillations.