Therefore, assuming that Pes is a good estimation of Ppl, PEEP and mPaw could be targeted to obtain different value of PL. A PL of 0 cmH2O at end-expiratory pause, should keep the airways open (even if distal zones are not certainly recruited) and a PL of 15 cmH2O at end-inspiratory pause should produce an overall increase of lung recruitment, limiting tidal overdistension. The comparison of these two different ventilatory settings allows us to determine whether the prevention of atelectrauma by setting PEEP and Paw of HFOV to obtain 0 cmH2O of transpulmonary pressure at end-expiratory occlusion is less injurious than lung recruitment limiting tidal overdistension by setting PEEP and mPaw at a threshold of 15 cmH2O of transpulmonary pressure.