This systematic review and meta-analysis examined patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia. The study compared individualized positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) guided by electrical impedance tomography (EIT) against a fixed PEEP setting of 5 cmH2O. The analysis included data from 290 patients.
Researchers found that the individualized EIT-guided approach significantly reduced postoperative atelectasis, or lung collapse. Oxygenation levels, measured by the PaO2/FiO2 ratio, also improved with this method. Mean arterial pressure was modestly higher in the EIT group. However, bradycardia, or a slow heart rate, occurred more frequently during recruitment maneuvers or PEEP titration phases in the EIT group.
Other outcomes showed no significant differences. These included lung compliance, length of hospital stay, urine output, and metabolic parameters. No serious adverse events were reported. The study authors note that larger multicenter trials are needed to validate these findings and guide clinical implementation before changing standard practice.