CO2 during single incisional thoracoscopic bleb resection with two-lung ventilation.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: CO2 insufflation could provide a better surgical field during single-incision thoracoscopic surgery (SITS) with small tidal two-lung ventilation (ST-TLV). Here we compared the surgical field and physiological effects of ST-TLV with and without CO2 during SITS. METHODS: Patients underwent scheduled SITS bullectomy. Surgery under ST-TLV general anesthesia performed without CO2 (group NC) or with CO2 insufflation (group C). The surgical field was graded at thoracoscope introduction and at bulla resection as follows good (more than half of the 1st rib visible; bleb easily grasped with the stapler), fair (less than half of the 1st rib visible; some manipulation needed to grasp the bleb with the stapler), or poor (1st rib non-visible; bleb ungraspable). Vital signs, arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA), and mechanical ventilation parameters, postoperative chest tube indwelling duration, length of hospital stays, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients were ultimately included. The surgical field at thoracoscope introduction was better in group C (P=0.022). However, at bleb resection, the surgical fields did not differ (P=0.172). The operation time was significantly longer in group C (P=0.019) and anesthesia recovery time was not different (P=0.369). During the CO2 insufflation, the airway pressure was higher in group C (P=0.009). Mean PaCO2 was significantly higher (P=0.012) and mean PaO2 was significantly lower (P=0.024) in group C, but both values were within the physiologically normal range. Postoperative chest tube indwelling duration and length of hospital stays were not statistically different (P=0.234 and 0.085 respectively). Postoperative complication frequencies were similar (12.5% for group NC, 10.0% for group C, P=0.723). CONCLUSIONS: SITS with CO2 insufflation during ST-TLV did not produce a superior surgical field except at the beginning of surgery. CO2 insufflation required more time and resulted in higher mean PaCO2 and peak airway pressure.