Effect of ultrasound-guided lung recruitment to reduce pulmonary atelectasis after non-cardiac surgery under general anesthesia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: At present, the application of bedside lung ultrasound is increasing gradually, but there is no relevant expert consensus or guidance for its evaluation in the field of perioperative anesthesia. Through this meta-analysis, we tried to determine the impact of ultrasound-guided lung recruitment maneuvers (LRM) on perioperative patients.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library database, Embase, and Clinical Trials gov for the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to December 31, 2022. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative atelectasis. Secondary outcomes included lung ultrasound score (LUS) and LUS of each part. A total of 443 patients were examined in nine randomized controlled trials.

Results: The incidence of atelectasis after surgery in patients with ultrasound-guided LRM was less (RR 0.31; 95% CI 0.25-0.40; p < 0.05). The LUS (WMD - 6.24; 95% CI - 6.90-5.59; p < 0.05) and the LUS of each part (LUS in front lung region (WMD - 2.00; 95% CI - 2.49 to - 1.51; p < 0.05); LUS in lateral lung region (WMD - 2.50; 95% CI - 3.20 to - 1.80; p < 0.05); LUS in posterior lung region (WMD - 3.24; 95% CI - 4.23 to - 2.24; p < 0.05)) in patients with ultrasound-guided LRM were lower.

Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided lung recruitment maneuvers have been shown to be a promising approach for improving perioperative lung ventilation by increasing aeration while mitigating the development of atelectasis. In comparison to non-ultrasound-guided methods, this technique has exhibited superior effects.