Reduced Laparoscopic Intra-abdominal Pressure During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy and Its Effect on Post-operative Pain: a Double-Blinded Randomised Control Trial

Background Laparoscopic surgery is regarded as the gold standard for the surgical management of cholelithiasis. To improve post-operative pain, low-pressure laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LPLC) have been trialed. A recent systematic review found that LPLC reduced pain; however, many of the randomised control trials were at a high risk of bias and the overall quality of evidence was low. Methods One hundred patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomised to a LPLC (8 mmHg) or a standard pressure laparoscopic cholecystectomy (12 mmHg) (SPLC) with surgeons and anaesthetists blinded to the pressure. Pressures were increased if vision was compromised. Primary outcomes were post-operative pain and analgesia requirements at 4-6 h and 24 h. Results Intra-operative visibility was significantly reduced in LPLC (p<0.01) resulting in a higher number of operations requiring the pressure to be increased (29% vs 8%, p=0.010); however, there were no differences in length of operation or post-operative outcomes. Pain scores were comparable at all time points across all pressures; however, recovery room fentanyl requirement was more than four times higher when comparing 8 to 12 mmHg (12.5mcg vs 60mcg, p=0.047). Nausea and vomiting was also higher when comparing these pressures (0/36 vs 7/60, p=0.033). Interestingly, when surgeons estimated the operating pressure, they were correct in only 69% of cases. Conclusion Although pain scores were similar, there was a significant reduction in fentanyl requirement and nausea/vomiting in LPLC. Although LPLC compromised intra-operative visibility requiring increased pressure in some cases, there was no difference in complications, suggesting LPLC is safe and beneficial to attempt in all patients.

Automated summary

Although low-pressure laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LPLC) compromised intra-operative visibility and required increased pressure in some cases, it resulted in a significant reduction in fentanyl requirement and higher incidence of nausea and vomiting. Although pain scores were comparable, LPLC appears to be safe and beneficial for all patients.