Background: Intraperitoneal isotonic saline instillation (SI) and pulmonary recruitment maneuver (RM) were indicated to alleviate post-laparoscopic shoulder pain (PLSP) effectively. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of the single strategy using SI alone and the combined strategy using SI and RM on PLSP reduction.
Methods: Subjects undergoing elective gynecologic laparoscopy were randomly allocated to a control group (no intervention, n = 48) and two intervention groups (single strategy of SI alone, n = 48; combined strategy of SI and RM, n = 48). In the control group, carbon dioxide was removed only via passive evacuation through the port sites at the completion of the laparoscopic procedure. In the saline instillation group, 20-mL/kg of body weight SI was performed. In the combined strategy group, RM using five pulmonary inflations was performed, in addition to SI. The PLSP scores, which were the primary outcome, were recorded using a visual analog scale postoperatively.
Results: The PLSP scores 24 and 48 h after surgery were significantly lower in the two intervention groups than in the control group (P = 0.014 and P = 0.001, respectively), while no significant differences were observed between the two intervention groups.
Conclusions: The single strategy using SI alone is as effective as the combined strategy of SI and RM for removing residual carbon dioxide and consequently preventing PLSP. Therefore, considering the potential risks of pulmonary or hemodynamic complications associated with RM, the single strategy using SI alone might be a better choice than the combined strategy.
Keywords: Laparoscopy; Pulmonary recruitment maneuver; Saline instillation; Shoulder pain.