Plevak, David J.

BACKGROUND: Increasing numbers of robotic hysterectomies (RH) are being performed. To provide ventilation (with pneumoperitoneum and steep Trendelenburg position) for these procedures, utilization of lung protective strategies with limiting airway pressures and tidal volumes is difficult. Little is known about the effects of intraoperative mechanical ventilation and high peak airway pressures on perioperative complications. We performed a retrospective review to determine whether patients undergoing RH had increased pulmonary complications compared to total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH). METHODS: We performed a single center retrospective review comparing the intraoperative, anesthetic, and immediate and 30-day postoperative course of patients undergoing RH to TAH, including intraoperative ventilatory parameters and respiratory complications. Patients undergoing TAH (201) from 2004 to 2006 were compared to RH (251) from 2009 to 2012. It was our hypothesis that patients undergoing RH would have increased incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications. A secondary hypothesis was that morbid obesity predicts pulmonary complications in patients undergoing RH. Complications were compared between groups using Fisher’s exact test. To account for potential confounders, the primary analysis was performed for a subgroup of patients matched on the propensity for RH. RESULTS: A total of 351 RH and 201 TAH procedures are included. Higher inspiratory pressures were required in ventilation of the RH group (median [25th, 75th] 31 [26, 36] cm H 2 O) than the TAH group (23 [19, 27] cm H 2 O) ( P < .001) at 30 minutes after incision. Peak inspiratory pressures at 30 minutes after incision for RH increased according to increasing body mass index group ( P < .001). There were 163 RH and 163 TAH procedures included in the propensity matched analysis. From this analysis, there were no significant differences in cardiopulmonary complications between RH and TAH (0.6% vs 1.2%; odds ratio = 2.0, 95% confidence interval = 0.2–2.4; P = 1.00). Surgical site infection was significantly lower in the RH compared to TAH group (0.6% vs 8.6%; P < .001). Hospital length of stay was longer for those who underwent TAH versus RH (median [25th, 75th] 2 [2, 3] vs 1 [0, 2] days; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in perioperative complications in obese and morbidly obese women compared to nonobese undergoing RH. Patients undergoing RH had shorter hospital stays, fewer infectious complications, and no increase in overall complications compared to TAH. Higher ventilatory airway pressures (RH versus TAH and obese versus nonobese) did not result in an increase in cardiopulmonary or overall complications. We believe that peritoneal insufflation attenuates the effect of high airway pressures by raising intrapleural pressure and reducing the gradient across terminal bronchioles and alveoli. Thus, we propose that lung protective strategies for patients undergoing RH account for the markedly elevated intraperitoneal and intrapleural pressures, whereas transpulmonary airway pressures remain static. This reduced transpulmonary gradient attenuates the strain on lung tissue that would otherwise be imposed by ventilation at high pressures.

A perception that living donor liver transplantation can be accomplished with an acceptable donor complication rate and recipient survival rate has led to the acceptance of living donor liver transplantation as a viable alternative to decreased deceased donor transplantation. Careful candidate evaluation and selection has been crucial to the success of this procedure. Advancements in the understanding of the lobar nature of the liver and of liver regeneration have advanced the surgical technique. Initial attempts at adult-to-adult donation utilized the left hepatic lobe, but now have evolved into use of the right hepatic lobe. Size matching is very important to successful graft function in the recipient. There is great concern regarding morbidity and mortality in donors. Biliary complications and infections continue to be among the most highly reported complications, although rates vary among centers and countries. Reports of single center complications have ranged from 9% to 67%. A survey of centers in the United States in 2003 reported complications of 10%. A series from our institution reported complications arising in 13 (33%) of 39 patients. A review focused on documenting donor deaths found 33 living liver donor deaths worldwide. The much publicized immediate postoperative mishap of 2002 that resulted in a donor’s death resulted in a drop in the utilization of living donor liver transplantation in the United States, from which this procedure has never fully recovered. The future development and expansion of living donor liver transplantation depends on open communication regarding donor complications and deaths. Close immediate postoperative monitoring and meticulous management will remain an essential aspect in limiting donor complications and deaths.

The postoperative care of a patient who receives an intra-abdominal organ transplant is in some ways simi lar to that of any major intra-abdominal procedure. However, certain features unique to organ transplanta tion, such as the variable functional status of the newly transplanted graft, complications that are specific to the organ transplanted, and the side effects from immuno suppressive drugs, suggest that transplantation inten sive care is a distinct subspecialty in critical care medicine. Today, the majority of patients receiving an intra-abdominal transplant will have a relatively uncom plicated postoperative course. However, preoperative disposition, intraoperative misadventure, or immediate postoperative difficulty will require the availability of an intensivist experienced in transplantation. The future of intra-abdominal transplantation will be highly depen dent on progress in immunotherapy. Newer, more spe cific immunomodulators with fewer nonimmune toxici ties should result in improved organ receptance, less graft dysfunction, and improved patient survival.