Ultrasonograpahic Evaluation of Diaphragmatic Functions in Obese Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Bariatric surgery is one of the fastest-growing areas of surgery. It is the most effective treatment for morbid obesity and its secondary co-morbidities. Although there is no gold standard surgical procedure for obesity management, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is considered to be the first choice procedure and recently it becomes the most common bariatric surgical procedure performed worldwide. LSG is preferred to open techniques because it is associated with less incisional pain, shorter operative time, fewer pulmonary complications, and earlier hospital discharge.

However, laparoscopic procedures are operated under general anesthesia that decreases functional residual capacity (FRC) and enhances atelectasis. Also, it is performed in conjunction with intra-abdominal CO2 insufflation and subsequent increase in the intra-abdominal pressure, this CO2 pneumoperitoneum together with the steep Trendelenburg position which is maintained for long period in LSG, result in cephalic displacement of the diaphragm leading to several respiratory changes as decreased FRC and vital capacity (VC), decrease pulmonary compliance, consequently resulting in atelectasis formation in the dependent lung regions. Moreover, obese patients are more prone to develop peri-operative atelectasis and postoperative pulmonary complications that are almost twice the risk among healthy subjects.

This alteration in FRC and lung volumes are more clinically relevant as it can result in small airway closure and further ventilation-perfusion mismatch that may lead to postoperative hypoxemia and respiratory complications. Several studies revealed that these lung volumes decrease and its ensuing complications are not only due to cephalic displacement of the diaphragm but also due to decreased diaphragmatic excursion.

Several strategies have been proposed to reduce the incidence of atelectasis and other pulmonary complications such as induction of anesthesia in the head-up position with or without a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), use of intraoperative PEEP and implementation of alveolar recruitment maneuver (RM) but it seems that the latter may be an effective method according to several studies conducted on morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery and demonstrated that intraoperative recruitment of lung volume improves the respiratory mechanics and oxygenation. While other studies showed that the application of PEEP intraoperatively during laparoscopic colorectal surgery is helpful for preserving diaphragmatic excursion and consequently reduce the incidence of atelectasis.

It is worth mentioning that ultrasonography (US) can play an important role in evaluating the diaphragmatic structure by measuring diaphragmatic thickness as well as diaphragmatic function by measuring diaphragmatic excursion/displacement (DD). It is a promising bedside test to evaluate the structure and dynamic function of diaphragm peri-operatively and in critically ill patients to predict the expected outcome.

The investigators hypothesize that performing RM in addition to PEEP may have an impact on improving diaphragmatic function in terms of diaphragmatic excursion evaluated by ultrasonography in obese patients undergoing LSG. Therefore; it may decrease the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications.

Inclusion criteria

• Patient acceptance.
• Age 21-60 years old.
• BMI ≥35 kg/m2
• ASA II and ASA III.
• Elective laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy under general anesthesia.

Exclusion criteria

• Preoperative diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea by using the STOP-BANG questionnaire (Snoring, Tiredness during the daytime, observed apnea, high blood pressure, Body mass index over 35, Age, Neck circumference, and Gender)
• History of pneumothorax or right-side heart failure.
• History of chronic respiratory disease, diaphragmatic disease, or neuromuscular disease.
• Any contraindication for laparoscopic surgery or head-down position.
• Any history with post esophageal or thoracic surgeries due to intraoperative diaphragmatic manipulation.