Respiration After Robot Assisted Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

It is well known that respiration is affected during surgery under general anesthesia. Despite optimal ventilation in a respirator during the procedure, lung volume decreases, leading to atelectasis. Other effects include increased secretions in the airways, while ciliary function deteriorates. After surgery performed under general anesthesia, the patient therefore often develops hypoventilation. This can largely be explained by lingering effects of anesthetics, reduced lung volumes, atelectasis, pain and immobilization.

In a previous study, lung effects have been studied in open and laparoscopic surgery, including after hysterectomy. With the development of robotic surgery and operations on patients with an increasing number of risk factors, complementary studies are needed.

The aim of the study is to investigate changes in lung function during robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery due to uterine cancer or endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia in the uterus, and to search for predictors of low lung volume, hypoxia and pneumonia.

A consecutive series of 80 patients undergoing robot-assisted hysterectomy will be included in the study.

At the preoperative visit, a dynamic spirometry (Easyone, ndd, Medical Technologies, Switzerland) is performed in a sitting position according to international guidelines. Before the test, oxygen saturation will be measured with a finger probe. In addition, patients will assess their lung function on a visual analogue scale

Postoperatively, patients will undergo the same spirometry 2-3 hours after arrival at the postoperative ward, before the first mobilization. The test will be performed while sitting in bed with the head of the bed elevated at 60˚ and with optimal pain relief (VAS<4). Pre-test pain assessment will be recorded as well as the patient's assessment of their lung function. The day after surgery, the same test will be performed again (including assessment of pain and lung function) in the morning before and after mobilization to walk in the room. During the hospitalization, mobilization and any breathing exercises are recorded on a special protocol.

Inclusion criteria

• ≥18 years of age undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy for endometrial cancer or endometrial intraepitelial neoplasty..

Exclusion criteria

• cognitive impairment and difficulty understanding Swedish or English instructions.