Individualized positive end-expiratory pressure reduces driving pressure in obese patients during laparoscopic surgery under pneumoperitoneum: a randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: During pneumoperitoneum (PNP), airway driving pressure (ΔP) increases due to the stiffness of the chest wall and cephalic shift of the diaphragm, which favors atelectasis. In addition, depending on the mechanical power (MP) formulas, they may lead to different interpretations.

Methods: Patients >18 years of age with body mass index >35 kg/m were included in a single-center randomized controlled trial during their admission for bariatric surgery by abdominal laparoscopy.