The efficacy of different alveolar recruitment maneuvers in holmium laser lithotripsy surgery under general anesthesia using a laryngeal mask

BACKGROUND: Alveolar recruitment maneuvers (ARMs) is an important part of lung-protective ventilation strategies (LPVSs), but the optimal duration and interval Remain unclear. METHODS: Patients:252 patients who underwent holmium laser lithotripsy surgery and meet inclusion criteria were included and randomized into three groups based on the duration and frequency of ARMs (Regular, one 30 s ARM (RARMs); Improved and intermittent, three 10s ARMs (IARMs); and Control (C), no ARMs).Interventions: Groups R and I received ARMs at 20 cmH2O pressures every 30 min. All patients received the same anesthesia and mechanical ventilation. Measurements:Outcomes included heart rate and mean arterial pressure changes during ARMs and postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) within the first 7 postoperative days. MAIN RESULTS: Incidences of PPCs in groups R(7.1%) and I (5.0%)were slightly lower than those in group C (8.9%).This indicated the potential to reduce lung injury. Heart rate and mean arterial pressure fluctuations during ARMs were significantly higher in groups R and I than in group C (P < 0.01). The rate of blood pressure decrease was significantly higher in group R than in group I (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: IARMs can reduce cycle fluctuations than RARMs in patients Undergoing holmium laser lithotripsy surgery with laryngeal mask general anesthesia. Low tidal volume ventilation and low PEEP combined with ARM did not significantly reduce the incidence of PPCs in healthy lung patients, but tended to reduce lung injury. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. (ChiCTR2000030815,15/03/2020). This study was approved by the ethics committee of Chengdu Fifth People’s Hospital with approval number(2020–005(Study)-1). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12871-022-01664-y.