Effects of pneumoperitoneum and Trendelenburg position on intracranial pressure and cerebral blood flow assessed using transcranial doppler: A prospective observational study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Laparoscopic lower abdominal surgeries involve carbon dioxide (CO(2)) insufflation and Trendelenburg position. The raised intra-abdominal pressure can increase intracranial pressure (ICP) and alter cerebral blood flow. This study was conducted to determine the effect of pneumoperitoneum and Trendelenburg position on ICP and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) measured using transcranial Doppler (TCD) MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted in 43 patients of either sex, aged between 18 and 60 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II, undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery in Trendelenburg position. After standard anesthesia induction, pneumoperitoneum was created to facilitate surgery, maintaining an intra-abdominal pressure of 10–15 mmHg and Trendelenburg position of 25°–30°. End-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO(2)) was maintained between 30 and 35 mmHg. The ICP was assessed non-invasively using TCD-based diastolic flow velocities (FVd) and pulsatility index (PI) of middle cerebral artery. Data was represented as mean ± standard deviation and compared using paired t test. A P value of < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Mean ICP(PI) at baseline was 14.02 ± 0.89 mmHg which increased to 14.54 ± 1.21 mmHg at pneumoperitoneum and Trendelenburg position (P = 0.005). Mean ICP(FVd) at baseline was 6.25 ± 2.47 mmHg which increased to 8.64 ± 3.79 mmHg at pneumoperitoneum and Trendelenburg position (P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant change in the CPP or mean arterial pressure values intraoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic procedures with CO(2) pneumoperitoneum in Trendelenburg position increase ICP as measured using TCD ultrasonography. The CPP was not significantly altered when EtCO(2) was maintained in the range of 30–35 mmHg.