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Prophylactic nCPAP in the PACU Following Elective Laparotomy for Bowel Surgery

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Postoperative Pulmonary Atelectasis
Surgery
Interventions
Device: Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
Device: Low Flow Oxygen
Registration Number
NCT02077842
Lead Sponsor
University of Saskatchewan
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether prophylactic nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) in the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) improves post-operative pulmonary function following elective bowel surgery. The investigators hypothesize that one hour of nCPAP in the PACU will result in a higher partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) when compared to the standard treatment of low flow oxygen applied by face mask.

Detailed Description

Post-operative pulmonary complications, such as hypoxemia, pneumonia and respiratory failure, occur in 5-10% of patients following abdominal surgery. These post-operative pulmonary complications result in increased morbidity, mortality, ICU admission, length of hospital stay and resource use.

CPAP has shown to be an effective treatment for hypoxemia following abdominal surgery. It decreases atelectasis formation the risk of pneumonia. Application of nCPAP to treat hypoxemic respiratory failure following thoraco-abdominal surgery has shown to decrease endotracheal intubation.

Nasal CPAP has shown to be effective prophylaxis following elective cardiac and thoraco-abdominal aortic surgery. It reduces the incidence of hypoxemia, pneumonia, re-intubation and re-admission to the ICU. It has also shown to decrease the length of hospital stay.

The use of nCPAP immediately post-operatively in the PACU following abdominal surgery has not been evaluated. Nasal CPAP is better tolerated than full face mask CPAP. It allows for effective clearance of respiratory secretions, improved communication and decreases claustrophobic sensation. The PACU is a transition period from general anaesthesia into the post-operative recovery phase. During this time, residual anaesthetic causes decreased level of consciousness and sub-optimal respiratory effort. Reversal agent for neuromuscular blockade has often not reached its peak effect. Inadequate pain control may further decrease respiratory effort. This transition period may be when maximal atelectasis of alveolar lung units occurs. This time period may be optimal for the application of nCPAP for prophylaxis against hypoxemia. It may improve post-operative pulmonary function which could decrease post-operative morbidity, mortality, length of hospital stay and resource use.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
40
Inclusion Criteria
  • patients scheduled to undergo laparotomy for elective bowel surgery
Exclusion Criteria
  • age < 18 years
  • postoperative admission to the intensive care unit
  • a history of allergy/intolerance to Ametop

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Nasal CPAPNasal Continuous Positive Airway PressureThe experimental group will receive nasal continuous positive airway pressure at 10cmH20 for one hour in the Post Anesthetic Care Unit.
Low Flow OxygenLow Flow OxygenThe control group will receive standard therapy of low flow oxygen via simple mask at 8 litres per minute.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient1 hour after admission to the Post Anesthetic Care Unit

The difference in the alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient between group administered nasal continuous positive airway pressure at 10cmH20 for one hour and group administered low flow oxygen by face mask at 8 litres per minute for one hour following elective bowel surgery

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Length of Stay in Hospital2 weeks
Number of Participants Requiring Reintubation2 weeks
Number of Participants Requiring Admission to the Intensive Case Unit2 weeks

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Royal University Hospital

🇨🇦

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

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