Effects of intraoperative PEEP on postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical resection for bladder cancer or prostate cancer: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: There are increasing studies showing that the use of a lung-protective ventilation strategy has a lung protection effect in patients undergoing abdominal surgery; however, the appropriate positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) has not yet defined. Adopting a suitable PEEP may prevent postoperative pulmonary complications. Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery is the newest and most minimally invasive treatment for bladder cancer or prostate cancer. It is also necessary to consider the effects of Trendelenburg position with pneumoperitoneum on airway pressure and pulmonary function. The role of PEEP during the intraoperative period in preventing postoperative pulmonary complications for robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery is not clearly defined. METHODS/DESIGN: A total of 208 patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical resection for bladder cancer or prostate cancer will be enrolled and then randomly assigned to a standard PEEP (6–8 cm H(2)O) group and a low PEEP (≤2 cm H(2)O) group. Both groups will receive an inspired oxygen fraction of 0.50 and a tidal volume of 8 mL/kg ideal body weight. Standard perioperative fluid management standardization and analgesic treatments will be applied in both groups. The primary endpoint is postoperative pulmonary complications within 7 days after surgery. Secondary endpoints are the modified clinical pulmonary infection score, postoperative extrapulmonary complications, postoperative surgical complications, intensive care unit length of stay, hospital length of stay, and 30-day mortality. DISCUSSION: This trial aimed to assess the effects of low tidal volumes combined with intraoperative PEEP ventilation strategy on postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical resection for bladder cancer or prostate cancer. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ID: ChiCTR1800019867. Registered on December 2, 2018. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-019-3363-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.