Positive end-expiratory pressure individualization guided by continuous end-expiratory lung volume monitoring during laparoscopic surgery

To determine whether end-expiratory lung volume measured with volumetric capnography (EELVCO2) can individualize positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) setting during laparoscopic surgery. We studied patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery subjected to Fowler (F-group; n = 20) or Trendelenburg (T-group; n = 20) positions. EELVCO2 was measured at 0° supine (baseline), during capnoperitoneum (CP) at 0° supine, during CP with Fowler (head up + 20°) or Trendelenburg (head down − 30°) positions and after CP back to 0° supine. PEEP was adjusted to preserve baseline EELVCO2 during and after CP. Baseline EELVCO2 was statistically similar to predicted FRC in both groups. At supine and CP, EELVCO2 decreased from baseline values in F-group [median and IQR 2079 (768) to 1545 (725) mL; p = 0.0001] and in T-group [2164 (789) to 1870 (940) mL; p = 0.0001]. Change in body position maintained EELVCO2 unchanged in both groups. PEEP adjustments from 5.6 (1.1) to 10.0 (2.5) cmH2O in the F-group (p = 0.0001) and from 5.6 (0.9) to 10.0 (2.6) cmH2O in T-group (p = 0.0001) were necessary to reach baseline EELVCO2 values. EELVCO2 increased close to baseline with PEEP in the F-group [1984 (600) mL; p = 0.073] and in the T-group [2175 (703) mL; p = 0.167]. After capnoperitoneum and back to 0° supine, PEEP needed to maintain EELVCO2 was similar to baseline PEEP in F-group [5.9 (1.8) cmH2O; p = 0.179] but slightly higher in the T-group [6.5 (2.2) cmH2O; p = 0.006]. Those new PEEP values gave EELVCO2 similar to baseline in the F-group [2039 (980) mL; p = 0.370] and in the T-group [2150 (715) mL; p = 0.881]. Breath-by-breath noninvasive EELVCO2 detected changes in lung volume induced by capnoperitoneum and body position and was useful to individualize the level of PEEP during laparoscopy.