Intraoperative low tidal volume ventilation strategy has no benefits during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Benefits of intraoperative low tidal volume ventilation during laparoscopic surgery are not conclusively proven, even though its advantages were seen in other situations with intraoperative respiratory compromise such as one-lung ventilation. The present study compared the efficacy of intraoperative low tidal volume ventilatory strategy (6 ml/kg along with positive end-expiratory pressure [PEEP] of 10 cmH2 O) versus one with higher tidal volume (10 ml/kg with no PEEP) on various clinical parameters and plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6 in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 58 adult patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II, undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized to receive the low or higher tidal volume strategy as above ( n = 29 each). The primary outcome measure was postoperative PaO2 . Systemic levels of IL-6 along with clinical indices of intraoperative gas exchange, pulmonary mechanics, and hemodynamic consequences were measured as secondary outcome measures.

RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in oxygenation; intraoperative dynamic compliance, peak airway pressures, or hemodynamic parameters, or the IL-6 levels between the two groups ( P > 0.05). Low tidal volume strategy was associated with significantly higher mean airway pressure, lower airway resistance, greater respiratory rates, and albeit clinically similar, higher PaCO2 and lower pH ( P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Strategy using 6 ml/kg tidal volume along with 10 cmH2 O of PEEP was not associated with any significant improvement in gas exchange, hemodynamic parameters, or systemic inflammatory response over ventilation with 10 ml/kg volume without PEEP during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.