Effects of individualised positive end-expiratory pressure titration on respiratory and haemodynamic parameters during the Trendelenburg position with pneumoperitoneum: A randomised crossover physiologic trial

Abstract

Background: The Trendelenburg position with pneumoperitoneum during surgery promotes dorsobasal atelectasis formation, which impairs respiratory mechanics and increases lung stress and strain. Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) can reduce pulmonary inhomogeneities and preserve end-expiratory lung volume (EELV), resulting in decreased inspiratory strain and improved gas-exchange. The optimal intraoperative PEEP strategy is unclear.

Objectives: To compare the effects of individualised PEEP titration strategies on set PEEP levels and resulting transpulmonary pressures, respiratory mechanics, gas-exchange and haemodynamics during Trendelenburg position with pneumoperitoneum.

Design: Prospective, randomised, crossover single-centre physiologic trial.

Setting: University hospital.

Patients: Thirty-six patients receiving robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

Interventions: Randomised sequence of three different PEEP strategies: standard PEEP level of 5 cmH 2 O (PEEP 5 ), PEEP titration targeting a minimal driving pressure (PEEP ΔP ) and oesophageal pressure-guided PEEP titration (PEEP Poeso ) targeting an end-expiratory transpulmonary pressure ( PTP ) of 0 cmH 2 O.

Main outcome measures: The primary endpoint was the PEEP level when set according to PEEP ΔP and PEEP Poeso compared with PEEP of 5 cmH 2 O. Secondary endpoints were respiratory mechanics, lung volumes, gas-exchange and haemodynamic parameters.

Results: PEEP levels differed between PEEP ΔP , PEEP Poeso and PEEP5 (18.0 [16.0 to 18.0] vs. 20.0 [18.0 to 24.0]vs. 5.0 [5.0 to 5.0] cmH 2 O; P < 0.001 each). End-expiratory PTP and lung volume were lower in PEEP ΔP compared with PEEP Poeso ( P = 0.014 and P < 0.001, respectively), but driving pressure, lung stress, as well as respiratory system and dynamic elastic power were minimised using PEEP ΔP ( P < 0.001 each). PEEP ΔP and PEEP Poeso improved gas-exchange, but PEEP Poeso resulted in lower cardiac output compared with PEEP 5 and PEEP ΔP .

Conclusion: PEEP ΔP ameliorated the effects of Trendelenburg position with pneumoperitoneum during surgery on end-expiratory PTP and lung volume, decreased driving pressure and dynamic elastic power, as well as improved gas-exchange while preserving cardiac output.

Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00028559, date of registration 2022/04/27). https://drks.de/search/en/trial/DRKS00028559.