Effects of an Alveolar Recruitment Maneuver During Lung Protective Ventilation on Postoperative Pulmonary Complications in Elderly Patients Undergoing Laparoscopy

Purpose Controversy remains over whether alveolar recruitment maneuvers (ARMs) can reduce postoperative pulmonary complications. We hypothesized that performing an ARM in addition to lung protective ventilation (LPV) could improve intraoperative arterial oxygenation and postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopy in the Trendelenburg position. Patients and Methods Sixty-two patients (aged 65-85) scheduled for laparoscopic low anterior resection were randomized to receive LPV only (LPV group, n = 32) or LPV with an ARM (ARM group, n = 30). LPV was set to a tidal volume of 6 mL/kg with a positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 5 cmH2O. The ARM was performed by serially increasing the PEEP to 10 cmH2O for 3 breaths, 15 cmH2O for 3 breaths, then 20 cmH2O for 10 breaths, both immediately before and after abdominal insufflation. The primary end-point was the frequency of PPCs such as desaturation (SpO2 <90%), atelectasis, and pneumonia. Secondary end-points were changes in intraoperative respiratory and gas exchange parameters and hemodynamic variables. Results One patient in the LPV group experienced desaturation on the first postoperative day. The frequency of chest X-ray abnormalities such as atelectasis or pleural effusion was comparable between groups (6 (19%) and 5 (17%) patients, respectively, P = 0.676). Changes in other respiratory, gas exchange and hemodynamic parameters over time were not significantly different between the groups. However, vasopressor requirements during surgery were higher in the ARM than the LPV group (9 (30%) and 2 (6%) patients, respectively, P = 0.014). Conclusion This study suggests that performing an ARM during LPV may not improve postoperative respiratory outcomes and intraoperative oxygenation compared to LPV alone in geriatric patients undergoing laparoscopy in the Trendelenburg position. In addition, since the ARM could cause a significant deterioration in hemodynamic parameters, applying ARM to elderly patients should be carefully considered.