Optimal Positive End-Expiratory Pressure in Robotic-Assisted Thoracic Surgery

In the researchers' words

Minimally invasive thoracic surgery is increasingly popular. Recently, a new minimally invasive thoracic approach, robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) has been developed. RATS presents some advantages compared to VATS such as three-dimensional view of the surgical field, its precisions facilitates the navigation in difficult to access spaces and eliminates tremor which reduces learning curve and it may have a reduction of complications. During RATS and differently from VATS, not only one lung ventilation (OLV) is needed but also a continuous tension capnothorax. CO2 insufflation with intrathoracic positive pressure has a potential negative impact on the cardiorespiratory physiology. Moreover, CO2 insufflation and one lung ventilation can produce ventilation induced lung injury which are related to pulmonary postoperative complications (PPC). In order to reduce PPC and ventilation induced lung injury, lung protective strategies are used which reduce atelectrauma and overdistension. These strategies consist of three main pillars: use of low tidal volumes, performance of recruitment maneuvers and application of optimal positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). However, optimal PEEP levels and actual effects of PEEP are not clear. Several clinical studies with one-lung ventilation have reported improved oxygenation and ventilation when an alveolar recruitment maneuver is…