Comparison of volume-controlled and pressure-controlled ventilation in steep Trendelenburg position for robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

Abstract Study Objective To compare the effects of volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) and pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) on respiratory mechanics and hemodynamics in steep Trendelenburg position. Design Prospective, randomized clinical trial. Setting University hospital. Patients 34 ASA physical status 1 and 2 patients undergoing RLRP. Interventions Patients were randomly allocated to either the VCV (n = 17) or the PCV group (n = 17). After induction of anesthesia, each patient's lungs were ventilated in constant-flow VCV mode with 50% O2 and tidal volume of 8 mL/kg; a pulmonary artery catheter was then inserted. After establishment of 30° Trendelenburg position and pneumoperitoneum, VCV mode was switched to PCV mode in the PCV group. Measurements Respiratory and hemodynamic variables were measured at baseline supine position (T1), post-Trendelenburg and pneumoperitoneum 60 minutes (T2) and 120 minutes (T3), and return to baseline after skin closure (T4). Main Results The PCV group had lower peak airway pressure (APpeak ) and greater dynamic compliance (Cdyn ) than the VCV group at T2 and T3 ( P < 0.05). However, no other variables differed between the groups. Pulmonary arterial pressure and central venous pressure increased at T2 and T3 ( P < 0.05). Cardiac output and right ventricular ejection fraction were unchanged in both groups. Conclusions PCV offered greater Cdyn and lower APpeak than VCV, but no advantages over VCV in respiratory mechanics or hemodynamics.