Natural-orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery: low-pressure pneumoperitoneum is sufficient and is associated with an improved cardiopulmonary response (PressurePig Study)

Background and aims: The aim of this randomized trial in the acute porcine model was to compare the quality of transgastric peritoneoscopy with the use of low-pressure versus standard-pressure pneumoperitoneum and to evaluate the respective associated cardiopulmonary changes.

Methods: For transgastric peritoneoscopy, carbon dioxide was insufflated via the endoscope for a constant intraperitoneal pressure of 6 mmHg or 12 mmHg in 9 pigs each. The quality of transgastric peritoneoscopy was rated on a visual analog scale (0 mm, min.; 100 mm, max.) by the endoscopist, who was blinded to the intraperitoneal pressure. The cardiac index and global end-diastolic volume index (GEDVI, reflecting preload) were measured every 3 minutes by transpulmonary thermodilution. The following were also recorded: heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI, reflecting afterload), peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), pH, PCO₂, and PO₂.

Results: The quality of transgastric peritoneoscopy with the use of low-pressure pneumoperitoneum was not inferior to that obtained using standard-pressure pneumoperitoneum (87.0 mm vs. 87.3 mm; P < 0.05). In both groups we observed a statistically significant rise in MAP and SVRI. The increase in SVRI was less pronounced during low-pressure peritoneum (P = 0.042), indicating a reduced stress response in comparison to standard-pressure peritoneum. There were no relevant differences between the groups in relation to cardiac index, GEDVI, and heart rate. An intra-abdominal pressure of 6 mmHg also led to better oxygenation (P = 0.031 for difference in PO₂ between the two groups) due to lower peak inspiratory pressure (P < 0.001 for difference). There were only slight differences between the groups with regard to pH and PCO₂.

Conclusions: Pneumoperitoneum of 12 – 16 mmHg is used for standard laparoscopy. For NOTES, low-pressure pneumoperitoneum is sufficient and is associated with an improved cardiopulmonary response compared to standard-pressure pneumoperitoneum.

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