Effectiveness of positive end-expiratory pressure, decreased fraction of inspired oxygen and vital capacity recruitment maneuver in the prevention of pulmonary atelectasis in patients undergoing general anesthesia: a systematic review

Background General anesthesia causes impairment of gas exchange in the lungs that results in decreased oxygenation of the blood; atelectasis is the principle cause of this impaired gas exchange. Anesthesia delivery varies between providers and there is no standard practice to decrease the incidence of postoperative atelectasis. Objectives To assess the effectiveness of three identified interventions, either individually or combined, in the development of postoperative pulmonary atelectasis in patients undergoing general anesthesia. Inclusion criteria Types of participants The review considered participants over 18 years for inclusion. The American Society of Anesthesiologists classification of subjects was I, II or III. Participants underwent a variety of surgical procedures during which general anesthesia was administered. Types of intervention(s)/phenomena of interest The review focused on the following interventions: positive end-expiratory pressure, decreased fraction of inspired oxygen content, and/or a vital capacity recruitment maneuver during general anesthesia in comparison to general anesthesia performed without the use of these interventions. Types of studies Randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effectiveness of any of the proposed interventions, individually or in combination, in the prevention of postoperative atelectasis during general anesthesia were considered for inclusion. Types of outcomes This review considered studies that reported the incidence of postoperative atelectasis. Atelectasis was measured by lung density measurements, in Hounsfield units, with computed tomography scans, decreased PaO2 levels (partial pressure of oxygen dissolved in arterial blood), and pulmonary function tests. Search strategy A three-step search strategy was utilized in this review. Studies published in English, without date limits, were considered for inclusion. Databases searched were: CINAHL, MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science, EMBASE, ProQuest Theses and Dissertations and ClinicalTrials.gov, (specifically the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute). Methodological quality Two independent reviewers appraised articles for methodological quality using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Randomized Control/Pseudo-randomized Trials. All studies included in this review were of high methodological quality. Data extraction Data was extracted by two independent reviewers from papers using the standardized data extraction tool from the Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument. Data synthesis Meta-analysis was attempted using STATA 12 software; however, due to the heterogeneity of interventions and outcomes it was not possible to pool data. A narrative summary including tables have been used to report results and findings. Results and conclusions This review included ten studies with a total of 427 participants aged from 18–78. Although a decreased inspired oxygen content (less than 60%) was shown to be effective individually at decreasing the incidence of postoperative atelectasis, this intervention in combination with a vital capacity recruitment maneuver (+40cm H20 for 15 seconds, and positive end-expiratory pressure, +10cm H2O) was shown to be statistically significant (relative risk=1.149; 95% confidence interval= 1.018, 1.297; p= 0.024). Implications for practice Anesthesia providers should utilize multiple interventions at their disposal to combat the formation and effects of atelectasis for their patients undergoing general anesthesia. Positive end-expiratory pressure following a vital capacity recruitment maneuver can virtually eliminate atelectasis formation even in the presence of a high inspired oxygen content. Implications for research The majority of atelectasis occurs within minutes of induction and intubation; therefore, further research is needed for testing interventions during this specific time.