Respiratory mechanical effects of surgical pneumoperitoneum in humans

Pneumoperitoneum for laparoscopic surgery is known to stiffen the chest wall and respiratory system, but its effects on resting pleural pressure in humans are unknown. We hypothesized that pneumoperitoneum would raise abdominal pressure, push the diaphragm into the thorax, raise pleural pressure, and squeeze the lung, which would become stiffer at low volumes as in severe obesity. Nineteen predominantly obese laparoscopic patients without pulmonary disease were studied supine (level), under neuromuscular blockade, before and after insufflation of CO₂ to a gas pressure of 20 cmH₂O. Esophageal pressure (Pes) and airway pressure (Pao) were measured to estimate pleural pressure and transpulmonary pressure (PL = Pao - Pes). Changes in relaxation volume (Vrel, at Pao = 0) were estimated from changes in expiratory reserve volume, the volume extracted between Vrel, and the volume at Pao = - 25 cmH₂O. Inflation pressure-volume (Pao-V_L) curves from Vrel were assessed for evidence of lung compression due to high PL. Respiratory mechanics were measured during ventilation with a positive end-expiratory pressure of 0 and 7 cmH₂O. Pneumoperitoneum stiffened the chest wall and the respiratory system (increased elastance), but did not stiffen the lung, and positive end-expiratory pressure reduced Ecw during pneumoperitoneum. Contrary to our expectations, pneumoperitoneum at Vrel did not significantly change Pes [8.7 (3.4) to 7.6 (3.2) cmH₂O; means (SD)] or expiratory reserve volume [183 (142) to 155 (114) ml]. The inflation Pao-VL curve above Vrel did not show evidence of increased lung compression with pneumoperitoneum. These results in predominantly obese subjects can be explained by the inspiratory effects of abdominal pressure on the rib cage.