BACKGROUND: Pneumoperitoneum and nonphysiological positioning required for robotic surgery increase cardiopulmonary risk because of the use of larger airway pressures (Paws) to maintain tidal volume (Vt). However, the quantitative partitioning of respiratory mechanics and transpulmonary pressure (Pl) during robotic surgery is not well described. We tested the following hypothesis: (1) the components of driving pressure (transpulmonary and chest wall components) increase in a parallel fashion at robotic surgical stages (Trendelenburg and robot docking); and (2) deep, when compared to routine (moderate), neuromuscular blockade modifies those changes in Pls as well as in regional respiratory mechanics. METHODS: We studied 35 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-II patients undergoing elective robotic surgery. Airway and esophageal balloon pressures and respiratory flows were measured to calculate respiratory mechanics. Regional lung aeration and ventilation was assessed with electrical impedance tomography and level of neuromuscular blockade with acceleromyography. During robotic surgical stages, 2 crossover randomized groups (conditions) of neuromuscular relaxation were studied: Moderate (1 twitch in the train-of-four stimulation) and Deep (1–2 twitches in the posttetanic count). RESULTS: Pneumoperitoneum was associated with increases in driving pressure, tidal changes in Pl, and esophageal pressure (Pes). Steep Trendelenburg position during robot docking was associated with further worsening of the respiratory mechanics. The fraction of driving pressures that partitioned to the lungs decreased from baseline (63% ± 15%) to Trendelenburg position (49% ± 14%, P < .001), due to a larger increase in chest wall elastance (Ecw; 12.7 ± 7.6 cm H2O·L−1) than in lung elastance (El; 4.3 ± 5.0 cm H2O·L−1, P < .001). Consequently, from baseline to Trendelenburg, the component of Paw affecting the chest wall increased by 6.6 ± 3.1 cm H2O, while Pls increased by only 3.4 ± 3.1 cm H2O (P < .001). Pl and driving pressures were larger at surgery end than at baseline and were accompanied by dorsal aeration loss. Deep neuromuscular blockade did not change respiratory mechanics, regional aeration and ventilation, and hemodynamics. CONCLUSIONS: In robotic surgery with pneumoperitoneum, changes in ventilatory driving pressures during Trendelenburg and robot docking are distributed less to the lungs than to the chest wall as compared to routine mechanical ventilation for supine patients. This effect of robotic surgery derives from substantially larger increases in Ecw than Els and reduces the risk of excessive Pls. Deep neuromuscular blockade does not meaningfully change global or regional lung mechanics.

Background and objectives: Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a pharmacogenetic disease that causes abnormal hypermetabolic reaction to halogenated anesthetics and/or depolarizing muscle relaxants. In Brazil, there is a hotline telephone service for MH since 1991, available 24 hours a day in São Paulo. This article analyzes the activity of the Brazilian hotline service for MH in 2009. Methods: Prospective analysis of all phone calls made to the Brazilian hotline service for MH from January to December 2009. Results: Twenty-two phone calls were received: 21 from the South/Southeast region of Brazil and one from the North region. Fifteen calls were requests for general information about MH. Seven were about suspected MH acute episodes, two of which were not considered as MH. In fi ve episodes compatible with MH, all patients received halogenated volatile anesthetics (2, isofl urane; 3, sevofl urane) and one also used succinylcholine; there were four men and one woman, with a mean age of 18 years (2-27). The problems described in the fi ve MH episodes were tachycardia

The seven items questionnaire showed adequate internal consistency and a well-defined factor structure, and can be used as a tool to measure the anesthesiologists' perceptions about the checklist usefulness and applicability.