Comparing the effects of continuous positive airway pressure via mask or helmet interface on oxygenation and pulmonary complications after major abdominal surgery: a randomized trial

Jens T F Osterkamp*, Rune B Strandby, Lara Henningsen, Klaus V Marcussen, Thordis Thomsen, Christian R Mortensen, Michael P Achiam, Øivind Jans

*Corresponding author for this work
1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

The risk of pulmonary complications is high after major abdominal surgery but may be reduced by prophylactic postoperative noninvasive ventilation using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). This study compared the effects of intermittent mask CPAP (ICPAP) and continuous helmet CPAP (HCPAP) on oxygenation and the risk of pulmonary complications following major abdominal surgery. Patients undergoing open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair or pancreaticoduodenectomy were randomized (1:1) to either postoperative ICPAP or HCPAP. Oxygenation was evaluated as the partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (PaO2/FIO2) at 6 h, 12 h, and 18 h postoperatively. Pulmonary complications were defined as X-ray verified pneumonia/atelectasis, clinical signs of pneumonia, or supplementary oxygen beyond postoperative day 3. Patient-reported comfort during CPAP treatment was also evaluated. In total, 96 patients (ICPAP, n = 48; HCPAP, n = 48) were included, and the type of surgical procedure were evenly distributed between the groups. Oxygenation did not differ between the groups by 6 h, 12 h, or 18 h postoperatively (p = 0.1, 0.08, and 0.67, respectively). Nor was there any difference in X-ray verified pneumonia/atelectasis (p = 0.40) or supplementary oxygen beyond postoperative day 3 (p = 0.53). Clinical signs of pneumonia tended to be more frequent in the ICPAP group (p = 0.06), yet the difference was not statistically significant. Comfort scores were similar in both groups (p = 0.43), although a sensation of claustrophobia during treatment was only experienced in the HCPAP group (11% vs. 0%, p = 0.03). Compared with ICPAP, using HCPAP was associated with similar oxygenation (i.e., PaO2/FIO2 ratio) and a similar risk of pulmonary complications. However, HCPAP treatment was associated with a higher sensation of claustrophobia.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Clinical Monitoring and Computing
Volume37
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)63-70
Number of pages8
ISSN1387-1307
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2023

Keywords

  • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure/adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Oxygen
  • Pneumonia/prevention & control
  • Postoperative Complications/prevention & control
  • Pulmonary Atelectasis/complications

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