Correlation of Perioperative Atelectasis With Duration of Anesthesia, Pneumoperitoneum, and Length of Surgery in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Background During anesthesia, atelectasis is frequent, and it is also seen in critically ill individuals with a variety of underlying causes and pathologies. Objective The present study was conducted to assess whether there is a correlation between perioperative atelectasis and duration of anesthesia, pneumoperitoneum, and length of surgery in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Material and methods Seventy-two American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade I-III patients of either gender undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in this observational study. The lung ultrasound (LUS) score was used to determine the amount of aeration loss. LUS scoring was performed at five predetermined time points: preoperative period (time point A), five minutes after induction (time point B), five minutes after pneumoperitoneum insufflation (time point C), end of surgery before extubation (time point D), and one hour after extubation in the postoperative room (time point E). Results At time points A, B, C, D, and E, vital parameters such as pulse rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and noninvasive blood pressure were continuously monitored and recorded. Hemodynamics remained stable, and no clinically significant changes in parameters were seen at any stage during the procedure. At each time point, the change in the LUS score was statistically significant (p-value = 0.01). Following the induction of general anesthesia, there was an increase in LUS scores, which increased further after the creation of pneumoperitoneum. Throughout the pneumoperitoneum and anesthetic periods in our investigation, the LUS score steadily climbed. Conclusion Even during short-term surgeries such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy, atelectasis can occur. The duration of pneumoperitoneum and ASA status can contribute to atelectasis.