RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Open Lung Protective Extubation Following General Anesthesia

This research is investigating whether a specific breathing technique, called “open-lung” extubation, can help prevent lung problems after surgery. When you have an operation under a general anaesthetic, a breathing machine helps you. After the operation, this machine is removed (extubation). Sometimes, parts of the lung can collapse afterwards, which is called atelectasis, and this can lead to other complications. Researchers want to see if this “open-lung” method, used just as the breathing machine is removed, keeps the lungs better inflated compared to the standard method. This study focuses on adults having planned tummy (abdominal) surgery who might be at a higher risk of lung complications.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)

Enrolment target

270

Start

08 Oct 2024

Estimated completion

01 Apr 2027

Intra-abdominal Surgery Anesthesia Lung Injury Ventilator-Induced Lung Injury Atelectasis

What is this study about?

When you have a general anaesthetic for an operation, a machine helps you breathe. After your operation, this machine is taken out – this is called 'extubation'. Sometimes, after the machine is removed, tiny air sacs in your lungs can collapse a bit. This is called atelectasis, and it can sometimes lead to other breathing problems or longer stays in hospital.

Doctors have been trying different ways to help keep your lungs fully open during and after surgery. One technique is called 'open-lung' ventilation. While this helps during the operation, it’s not clear if its benefits last once the breathing support is removed. This study aims to find out if using a particular 'open-lung' technique specifically when the breathing tube is taken out can help reduce these lung problems compared to the standard way.

This research is a first step to understand if a larger study would be useful. It will help doctors see if this different extubation method is practical to use in several hospitals and if it seems to make a difference to patients’ recovery. Ultimately, the goal is to find better ways to care for your lungs after surgery.

Key takeaways

This study compares two ways of removing breathing tubes after surgery.
It aims to see if a special 'open-lung' method reduces lung problems like collapse.
It's for adults having planned abdominal surgery who are at risk of lung issues.
Participation involves either the 'open-lung' or standard breathing tube removal.
The study monitors your lung recovery for about 7 days.
The goal is to improve lung care after operations.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult, aged 18 or older. You must be having a planned operation on your tummy (abdomen) that requires a general anaesthetic and you expect to stay in hospital afterwards. Your medical team will also need to assess you as having a moderate or higher chance of developing lung problems after your operation.

There are some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if your doctors expect it to be difficult to put a breathing tube in at the start of your surgery. Also, if you’re likely to need help breathing from a machine after your operation, or if your anaesthetic is given outside of the main operating room, you wouldn't be eligible.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you having planned tummy (abdominal) surgery?
Will you have a general anaesthetic for your surgery?
Do you expect to stay in hospital after your operation?
Are you not expected to need breathing support after surgery?
Is your anaesthetic in the main operating room?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll still have your planned abdominal surgery under general anaesthetic. The main difference will be in how the breathing tube is removed at the end of the operation. You'll be randomly put into one of two groups: one group will have the special "open-lung" method, and the other will have the usual standard method for removing the breathing tube. You won't know which group you're in, and neither will your doctors and nurses looking after you, as much as possible. Researchers will then look at how well your lungs recover for about 7 days after your surgery. This study will also check to see how well the new method can be used in hospitals and how many patients might be interested in a bigger study later.

Potential risks and benefits

This study is primarily looking at the best way for your anaesthetist to manage your breathing at the very end of your operation. Both methods used are standard practices. If you take part, you might benefit from a smoother recovery with fewer lung complications, though this is not guaranteed as the study is exploring this. Like all medical procedures, operations carry some risks, but the study itself doesn't introduce new high risks. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (4)

The Ottawa Hospital
Verified postcode
Ottawa, Canada· Not yet recruiting
Unity Health Network
Verified postcode
Toronto, Canada· Recruiting
Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)
Verified postcode
Montreal, Canada· Recruiting
CHU de Québec - Université Laval
Verified postcode
Québec, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'atelectasis'?

'Atelectasis' means that small parts of your lung might collapse a bit after surgery, which can sometimes lead to breathing problems.

What does 'extubation' mean?

'Extubation' is when the breathing tube that helped you breathe during your operation is removed.

What is 'open-lung' extubation?

It's a special technique used by the anaesthetist when removing your breathing tube, designed to keep your lungs as open and well-inflated as possible.

Will I know which group I'm in?

No, you won't know if you're getting the 'open-lung' or standard technique. This helps ensure the study results are fair and unbiased.

How long will I be monitored for the study?

Researchers will be looking at your lung health for about 7 days after your operation.

How to find out more

Martin Girard, MD

martin.girard@umontreal.ca 514-890-8000 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.