Original ContributionEffect of depth of neuromuscular blockade on the abdominal space during pneumoperitoneum establishment in laparoscopic surgery

•Effect of moderate vs deep neuromuscular blockade on laparoscopic space was assessed.•Abdominal space was increased in a significant manner with deep neuromuscular block.•Effective increase in the abdominal cavity dimensions could be low.•A great interindividual variability was observed in the response.•Clinical significance of this increase on surgical conditions is as yet uncertain.

Study ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of neuromuscular blockade (NMB) upon the abdominal space during pneumoperitoneum establishment in laparoscopic surgery, comparing moderate NMB and deep NMB.DesignProspective, randomized, crossover clinical trial.SettingOperating room.PatientsSeventy-six American Society of Anesthesiologists 1 to 2 patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic surgery.InterventionsTwo independent evaluations were performed at the establishment of pneumoperitoneum for a preset intraabdominal pressures (IAPs) of 8 and 12 mm Hg, both during moderate NMB (train-of-four count, 1-3) and deep NMB (posttetanic count, < 5). Rocuronium was used to induce NMB, and sugammadex was used for reversal.MeasurementsWe evaluated (i) the volume of CO2 introduced in 41 patients and (ii) the skin-sacral promontory distance in 35 patients, at pneumoperitoneum establishment.ResultsCompared to moderate NMB, deep NMB increased, in a significant manner, both the intraabdominal volume of CO2 insufflated (mean [SD], 2.24 [1.10] vs 2.81 [1.13] L at 8 mm Hg IAP, P < .001, and 3.52 [1.31] vs 4.09 [1.31] L at 12 mm Hg IAP, P < .001) and the skin-sacral promontory distance (11.78 [1.52] vs 12.16 [1.51] cm at 8 mm Hg IAP, P = .002, and 13.34 [1.87] vs 13.80 [1.81] cm at 12 mm Hg IAP, P < .001). Increase in intraabdominal volume after inducing deep NMB was observed in 88% and 81.7% of patients at 8 and 12 mm Hg pneumoperitoneum, with a volume increase of mean of 36.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.8-50.8) and 25% (95% CI, 13.7-36.4), respectively (P = .003). Increase in distance was observed in 61% and 82% of patients at 8 and 12 mm Hg pneumoperitoneum, with a mean distance increase of 3.3% (95% CI, 1.3-5.4) and 3.6% (95% CI, 1.9-5.2), respectively (P = .840).ConclusionsDeep NMB, in comparison to moderate NMB, increased in a significant manner the abdominal space at pneumoperitoneum establishment. However, the effective increase in the abdominal cavity dimensions could be low, the increase showed a great interindividual variability, and it was not observed in every patient. Clinical significance of this increase on surgical conditions is yet to be demonstrated.