No abstract

Background Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) using a combination of capnoperitoneum and steep Trendelenburg positioning (STP) results in important pathophysiological pulmonary changes. The aim of the study was to evaluate if restrictive crystalloid administration and individual management of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) improve peri- and postoperative pulmonary function in patients undergoing RALP in permanent 45 degree STP.Methods 98 patients undergoing RALP under standardized anesthesia were either allocated to a standard PEEP (5 mmHg) group or an individualized high PEEP group. Furthermore, each group was divided into a liberal vs restrictive crystalloid group (30 ml vs 15 ml per kg predicted body weight). Individualized PEEP levels were determined by means of preoperative PEEP titration in STP. In each of the four study groups following intraoperative parameters were analyzed: ventilation setting (PIP, driving pressure [Pdriv], lung compliance [LC], mechanical power [MP]), and postoperative pulmonary function (bed-side spirometry). The following spirometric parameters were measured pre- and postoperatively: the Tiffeneau index (FEV1/FVC ratio) and mean forced expiratory flow (FEF25 − 75). Data are shown as mean ± standard deviation (SD), and groups were compared with ANOVA. A P-value of < 0.05 was considered significant.Results The two individualized high PEEP groups (mean PEEP 15.5 [± 1.71 cmH2O]) showed significantly higher PIP and MP levels but significantly decreased Pdriv and increased LC. On the first and second postoperative day, patients with individualized higher PEEP levels had a significantly higher mean Tiffeneau index (day 1: 77.6% (± 6.6) vs 73.6% (± 8.8), P = 0.014; day 2: 76.5% (± 6.1) vs 72.7% (± 9.3), P = 0.021) and FEF25 − 75 (day 1: 2.41 liter/sec (± 0.9) vs 1.95 liter/sec (± 0.8), P = 0.009; day 2: 2.45 liter/sec (± 0.9) vs 2.07 liter/sec (± 0.8), P = 0.033). Perioperative oxygenation and postoperative spirometric parameters were not influenced by restrictive or liberal crystalloid infusion in either of the two PEEP groups.Conclusions Higher individualized PEEP levels during RALP improved blood oxygenation, lung-protective ventilation, and postoperative pulmonary function up to 48 hours after surgery. Restrictive crystalloid infusion during RALP seemed to have no effect on peri- and postoperative oxygenation and pulmonary function.

Objectives: Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) is typically conducted in steep Trendelenburg position (STP). The aim of the study was to evaluate whether crystalloid administration and individual management of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) improve peri- and post-operative pulmonary function in patients undergoing RALP. Design: Prospective randomised single-centre single-blinded explorative study. Setting: Patients were either allocated to a standard PEEP (5 cmH2O) group or an individualised high PEEP group. Furthermore, each group was divided into a liberal and a restrictive crystalloid group (8 vs. 4 mL/kg/h predicted body weight). Individualised PEEP levels were determined by means of preoperative recruitment manoeuvre and PEEP titration in STP. Participants: Informed consent was obtained from 98 patients scheduled for elective RALP. Interventions: The following intraoperative parameters were analysed in each of the four study groups: ventilation setting (peak inspiratory pressure [PIP], plateau pressure, driving pressure [Pdriv], lung compliance [LC] and mechanical power [MP]) and postoperative pulmonary function (bed-side spirometry). The spirometric parameters Tiffeneau index (FEV1/FVC ratio) and mean forced expiratory flow (FEF25–75) were measured pre- and post-operatively. Data are shown as mean ± standard deviation (SD), and groups were compared with ANOVA. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The two individualised high PEEP groups (mean PEEP 15.5 [±1.71 cmH2O]) showed intraoperative significantly higher PIP, plateau pressure and MP levels but significantly decreased Pdriv and increased LC. On the first and second postoperative day, patients with individualised high PEEP levels had a significantly higher mean Tiffeneau index and FEF25–75. Perioperative oxygenation and ventilation and postoperative spirometric parameters were not influenced by restrictive or liberal crystalloid infusion in either of the two respective PEEP groups. Conclusions: Individualised high PEEP levels (≥14 cmH2O) during RALP improved intraoperative blood oxygenation and resulted in more lung-protective ventilation. Furthermore, postoperative pulmonary function was improved for up to 48 h after surgery in the sum of the two individualised high PEEP groups. Restrictive crystalloid infusion during RALP seemed to have no effect on peri- and post-operative oxygenation and pulmonary function.