Protective Ventilation During General Anesthesia for Open Abdominal Surgery - a Randomized Controlled Trial

Detailed Summary

The purpose of this international, multicentre, double-blinded randomized controlled trial is to determine if the "open lung approach" providing recruitment maneuvers and PEEP(Positive End Expiratory Pressure) during general anesthesia reduces atelectasis formation and improves respiratory function in the immediate post-operative period after major abdominal surgery. Participating centres throughout the world will include a total of 900 adult patients undergoing general anesthesia for open abdominal surgery with high or intermediate risk for post-operative pulmonary complications. Patients are randomized and intra-operatively ventilated with either a lung protective strategy (PEEP at 12 cmH2O with recruitment maneuvers) or a conventional strategy (PEEP at maximum 2 cmH2O without recruitment maneuvers). Patients will be assessed on the first 5 post-operative days, on day of discharge and on day 90 post-operative. Primary endpoint is any post-operative pulmonary complication (see below). Secondary endpoints are post-operative extra-pulmonary complications, intra-operative mechanical ventilation related complications, unscheduled ICU (Intensive Care Unit) (re-) admission, and length of hospital stay.

Study Details

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Interventions