Individualised positive end-expiratory pressure titrated intra-operatively by electrical impedance tomography optimises pulmonary mechanics and reduces postoperative atelectasis: A randomised controlled trial.

Background: A protective intra-operative lung ventilation strategy has been widely recommended for laparoscopic surgery. However, there is no consensus regarding the optimal level of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and its effects during pneumoperitoneum. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) has recently been introduced as a bedside tool to monitor lung ventilation in real-time.

Objective: We hypothesised that individually titrated EIT-PEEP adjusted to the surgical intervention would improve respiratory mechanics during and after surgery.

Design: Randomised controlled trial.

Setting: First Medical Centre of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing.

Patients: Seventy-five patients undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery under general anaesthesia.

Interventions: Patients were randomly assigned 2 : 1 to individualised EIT-titrated PEEP (PEEPEIT; n = 50) or traditional PEEP 5 cmH2O (PEEP5 cmH2O; n = 25). The PEEPEIT group received individually titrated EIT-PEEP during pneumoperitoneum. The PEEP5 cmH2O group received PEEP of 5 cmH2O during pneumoperitoneum.

Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was respiratory system compliance during laparoscopic surgery. Secondary outcomes were individualised PEEP levels, oxygenation, respiratory and haemodynamic status, and occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) within 7 days.

Results: Compared with PEEP5 cmH2O, patients who received PEEPEIT had higher respiratory system compliance (mean values during surgery of 44.3 ± 11.3 vs. 31.9 ± 6.6, ml cmH2O-1; P < 0.001), lower driving pressure (11.5 ± 2.1 vs. 14.0 ± 2.4 cmH2O; P < 0.001), better oxygenation (mean PaO2/FiO2 427.5 ± 28.6 vs. 366.8 ± 36.4; P = 0.003), and less postoperative atelectasis (19.4 ± 1.6 vs. 46.3 ± 14.8 g of lung tissue mass; P = 0.003). Haemodynamic values did not differ significantly between the groups. No adverse effects were observed during surgery.

Conclusion: Individualised PEEP by EIT may improve intra-operative pulmonary mechanics and oxygenation without impairing haemodynamic stability, and decrease postoperative atelectasis.

Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (www.chictr.org.cn) identifier: ChiCTR2100045166.