The Impact of Lumboscopy Versus Laparoscopy on Ventilatory Mechanics

There are several techniques for performing minimally invasive urological surgeries. Among them, laparoscopic surgery, robotic surgery, and lumboscopy are noteworthy (1). The medical literature extensively documents the impact of pneumoperitoneum a procedure involving the insufflation of the peritoneal cavity with carbon dioxide (CO2), which is essential for laparoscopic and robotic surgeries on ventilatory mechanics.

As an alternative, CO2 insufflation into the retroperitoneum, as utilized in lumboscopic surgery, has been proposed. This approach is believed to exert a lesser impact on respiratory function and pulmonary mechanics. However, it is important to note that no conclusive evidence has yet been found to support this claim.

Assessing the impact of lumboscopic surgery could help establish it as a viable alternative for patients with pulmonary conditions, where mechanical ventilation poses significant challenges. To explore this possibility, a physiological study was designed to compare the effects of laparoscopic and lumboscopic surgery on ventilatory mechanics.