Optimal Maneuver to Reduce Postoperative Pain Following Elective Laparoscopic Surgeries

Laparoscopic surgery has revolutionized surgical care by reducing morbidity and improving post operative recovery. Laparoscopic surgery involves the use of carbon dioxide for insufflation to achieve optimal visualization. There is literature that demonstrates higher insufflation pressures being associated with increased postoperative pain - particularly shoulder pain - and opioid use. The ideal amount of intraperitoneal pressure is still under debate as other studies demonstrate that reduced pneumoperitoneum insufflation has also shown to negatively impact surgeon satisfaction and trended with longer operative time and greater blood loss without impacting pain.

Residual intraperitoneal carbon dioxide can also contribute to postoperative discomfort. Studies have shown the effectiveness of various maneuvers in removing residual gas to reduce postoperative pain, such as intraperitoneal saline instillation, pulmonary recruitment, and gas aspiration via smoke evacuator.

Despite these advantages, there is a lack of a clear consensus on the optimal method for reducing residual intraperitoneal gas. Conversely, literature has mixed results regarding the true significance in pain reduction.

Given the importance of minimizing postoperative pain, reducing opioid requirements, and shortening postoperative recovery time, the investigators propose a prospective, patient-blinded, randomized controlled trial. The investigators aim to investigate whether active gas removal via a smoke evacuator, multiple breath recruitment maneuvers, or no intervention would contribute to lowest postoperative pain. The findings will help identify the most effective method for reducing residual pneumoperitoneum-related pain and thus inform surgical practices and improve patient outcomes.