Intraoperative PEEP Setting During Laparoscopic Gynecologic Surgery

Overview

The creation of pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic surgery can have significant effects on the respiratory system including decreased respiratory system compliance, decreased vital capacity and functional residual capacity and atelectasis formation. Intraoperative mechanical ventilation, especially setting of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) has an important role in respiratory management during laparoscopic surgery. The aim of this study is to determine whether setting of PEEP guided by measurement of pleural pressure would improve oxygenation and respiratory system compliance during laparoscopic surgery.

As minimally invasive procedure with numerous advantages compared with open surgery, laparoscopic surgery has been substantially performed worldwide. The creation of pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic surgery, however, can have significant effects on the respiratory system including decreased respiratory system compliance, decreased vital capacity and functional residual capacity and atelectasis formation. These pathophysiologic changes may put patients at risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Therefore, intraoperative mechanical ventilation, especially setting of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) has an important role in respiratory management during laparoscopic surgery. Nevertheless, there is no consensus on the optimal PEEP level and the best method to set PEEP during laparoscopic surgery. In patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, PEEP set according to pleural pressure measured by using esophageal balloon catheter significantly has beneficial effects in terms of oxygenation, compliance and possible mortality. The aim of this study is to determine whether setting of PEEP guided by measurement of pleural pressure would improve oxygenation and respiratory system compliance during laparoscopic surgery.