Independent Predicting Factors for Subcutaneous Emphysema Associated with Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical...

Subcutaneous emphysema (SCE) is a complication associated with laparoscopic surgery. Severe SCE complicated by excessive hypercarbia may afford detrimental effects in surgical patients with cardiac dysfunction. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) has several predisposing factors that contribute to SCE. The main purpose of our single-center retrospective study was to determine the preoperative and intraoperative predicting factors for SCE associated with RALP and to determine the actual incidence of SCE.

In total, 229 adult male patients underwent standardized RALP for prostate cancer over the period of 1 May 2016 to 31 October 2018 at the Ehime University Hospital. We reviewed electronic clinical records for individual characteristics including age, body weight, height, coexisting disorders, preoperative ASA physical status, and the length of postoperative hospital stay. We also reviewed surgical and anesthetic records for the operation time, anesthetic method, and the partial pressure of end-tidal CO₂ (PetCO₂) during RALP. To determine the presence of SCE, we examined supine chest X-rays obtained after the completion of surgery.

We found 55 cases (24.0%) of SCE. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that a BMI < 25 kg/m² (OR: 3.0, 95% CI: 1.25-7.26) and a maximum value of PetCO₂ of 46 mmHg or greater (OR: 23.3, 95% CI: 8.22-66.1) were independent predicting factors for SCE.

These two predicting factors may be helpful to recognize the occurrence of SCE. Anesthesiologists should protect against SCE progression with the earlier detection of SCE for safe anesthetic management in patients undergoing RALP.