Randomized Study of Ultralow Versus Standard Pneumoperitoneum Pressure During Robotic Prostatectomy Using the AirSeal® Insufflation System
Phase: NA
Conditions: Prostate Cancer
Sponsor: OhioHealth

Randomized Study of Ultralow versus Standard Pneumoperitoneum Pressure 
during Robotic Prostatectomy using the AirSeal® Insufflation System
Principal Investigator: Ronney Abaza, MD, FACS
Robotic Urologic Surgeon
Director of Robotic Surgery
Study Site:
OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital
7450 Hospital Drive, Suite #300
Dublin, OH 43016
External Funder:
CONMED Corporation
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NCT03630393

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0
Introduction
1.1
Background
1.2
Specific Aims/Rationale
2.0
Methods
2.1
Study Population
2.2
Hypothesis
2.3
Study Variables & Outcomes of Interest
2.4
Study Design
2.5
Statistical Analysis
3.0
References
4.0
Appendices
A.
Intraoperative Data Collection Form
B.
Postoperative Data Collection Form 
C.
Post-Discharge Data Collection Form
D.
Follow-Up Data Collection Form
E.
Quality of Recovery (QoR)-15 Questionnaire
F.
Physician Case Sheet
G. 
New Patient Informational Letter
H.
Informed Consent Form
I.
Data Collection Tool (REDCap)
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1.0 – INTRODUCTION 
1.1 – Background 
Technological improvements are ongoing in minimally invasive surgery.  Laparoscopic surgery has 
allowed for enhanced patient comfort and recovery in numerous procedures including 
cholecystectomies, gastric bypasses, and laparoscopic renal procedures.  Laparoscopic surgeries must 
insufflate the abdomen in order to perform the necessary procedures of the surgery.  In order to 
maintain space and vision, carbon dioxide (CO2) must be used to inflate the abdomen with trocars being 
used as the entry points to the abdomen.  These trocars are then connected to insufflation systems to 
increase intraabdominal volume.  Many different trocars have been used historically to accomplish this 
task at OhioHealth, with recent focus on valve-less trocars.  Since its FDA clearance, the AirSeal system 
has been used routinely in centers throughout the United States, including OhioHealth Dublin Methodist 
Hospital.  The AirSeal system has been observed by surgeons and anesthesia teams to provide a more 
gentle, stable, and consistent pneumoperitoneum.1 
The AirSeal System consists of an insufflation, filtration, and recirculation system (AirSeal iFS), a triple 
lumen filtered tube set, and a valve free trocar (AirSeal Access Port).  The device enables peritoneal 
access with a novel mechanism to maintain pneumoperitoneum without a mechanical seal.  Specifically, 
the AirSeal System creates a pressure barrier within the proximal housing of the cannula which acts as an 
invisible seal to maintain pneumoperitoneum during the course of surgery.  It utilizes a re-circulation and 
filtration control unit (AirSeal iFS) designed specifically for the AirSeal Access Port to create and maintain 
the pressure barrier.  The AirSeal iFS is reusable and the AirSeal Access Port and triple lumen filtered 
tube set are designed as single patient use devices.  The AirSeal System has applications in minimally 
invasive abdominal surgical procedures to establish a path of entry for laparoscopic instruments.  The 
lack of a physical valve allows the AirSeal port to vent immediately in the event of any pressure spikes, as 
the port has a constant opening where the pneumoperitoneal gas may escape to keep pressures down.  
Since first described in 2001, robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) has been traditionally 
performed at a pneumoperitoneal insufflation pressure of 12-15 mmHg, derived from standard practice 
used during laparoscopic surgeries.2  Abdominal insufflation with carbon dioxide causes a multitude of 
known physiologic changes including increased peak airway pressures, depressed cardiac output, 
oliguria, and systemic acidosis,3-7 many of which show dose-dependent improvement with the reduction 
of intraoperative pressures.8,9 
Reducing intraperitoneal stretch with lower intra-abdominal pressures may also improve postoperative 
pain and facilitate earlier hospital discharge as evidenced by studies in general surgery comparing 
outcomes following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.10-11  Despite these results, few surgeons perform RALP 
at reduced pressure likely due to habit or the perceived concern for poorer visibility, compromised 
hemostasis, and/or technical difficulty.  Furthermore, some have even proposed performing RALP at an 
increased pressure of 20 mmHg in an effort to achieve better hemostasis despite other physiologic 
consequences.12  There remains a paucity of data exploring the feasibility and potential benefits of 
performing RALP at low insufflation pressures, and no studies have explored how high the 
pneumoperitoneal pressure must be to perform RALP or, in other words, the minimum pressure that is 
adequate.  
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We plan to examine the impact of low pressure during RALP with the intention of identifying whether 
lower pressures might benefit patients.  We hypothesize that a low insufflation pressure may provide an 
improvement in postoperative pain and abdominal distension in addition to potential physiologic 
benefits, and that these factors might then allow a shorter hospital stay.  We previously initiated a 
protocol in September of 2016 (IRB#1066864) to perform RALPs at an insufflation pressure of 6 mmHg 
with the intention of increasing the pressure as needed on an individual patient level.  In order to 
determine whether this might allow earlier discharge when successful, we began allowing for same-day 
discharge in patients meeting appropriate criteria.  Having now demonstrated feasibility in over 300 
consecutive patients using this ultralow pneumoperitoneum protocol, we now plan to conduct a 
randomized trial to compare a pressure of 6 mmHg with patients having RALP at a standard pressure of 
15mmHg to determine whether there is a true benefit.
1.2 – Specific Aims/Rationale
We propose a study comparing insufflation pressures during RALP.  Standard pressure is typically 15 
mmHg, while in our previous study we determined that 6 mmHg is possible routinely.  Therefore, we 
plan to compare the clinical outcomes of patients at a pneumoperitoneal pressure of 15 versus 6 mmHg.
Aim #1) Compare average postoperative pain medication use between groups, as measured in total 
morphine equivalents (MME) over time at pre-specified time intervals through follow-up at 1 week.
Aim #2) Compare average and maximum postoperative pain scores between groups, as measured using 
the self-reported 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS), over time at pre-specified time intervals through 
discharge.  
Time intervals for Aims #1 & 2 are as follows: during the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay, the first 4 
hours on the floor, next 8 hours, and the following 8 hours; as well as the final score immediately prior to 
discharge.  
Aim #3) Compare operative ventilation as measured by average tidal volume (ml) between groups.  
Tidal volume is the lung volume representing the normal volume of air displaced between normal 
inspiration and expiration when extra effort is not applied (i.e., normal/resting breathing), and is 
measured continuously throughout the procedure by Anesthesia.  Potential patient benefits to a lower 
pneumoperitoneal insufflation pressure include decreased postoperative pain and improved 
intraoperative ventilation.  
Aim #4) Compare average length of stay (typically 0-1 days) between groups.
2.0 – METHODS 
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2.1 – Study Population
The study population will include males age 18 or older with prostate cancer who are eligible and 
electing to undergo robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) at OhioHealth Dublin Methodist 
Hospital (DMH) Robotic Urology with the Principal Investigator (PI).  We anticipate that enrollment of 
192 patients (96 in each group) will take a minimum of 1 year to complete.  See section 2.4 (Statistical 
Analysis) for the details of the sample size calculation.
Exclusion criteria for RALP include:

Cirrhosis or liver failure (Child-Pugh class A, B, or C) or clinical suspicion of liver failure
2.
Ascites

Uncontrolled diabetes [as reported by the pre-anesthesia testing (PAT) physician]

Renal insufficiency (serum creatinine level > 3.0 mg/dl)
Exclusion criteria to participation in this study include:
1.
Age < 18
2.
Emergency surgery
3.
Patients with a significant preoperative dependence on narcotic medications
4.
Unable to give informed consent
5.
Dementia, history of dementia, or other significant mental impairment that would, in the 
opinion of the investigator, impede patient self-reporting
6.
Persons participating in any other research study involving an investigational drug or device or 
investigational surgical procedure that could interfere with the physiologic parameters being 
collected (for example, a study evaluating different anesthesia regimens that could confound 
study results)
7.
Non-English-speaking or reading
2.2 – Study Variables & Outcomes of Interest
The following data points will be collected for patients who choose to receive treatment and consent to 
this study at OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital (see Table 1).  Patient data will be collected via 
Epic/CareConnect, as well as by means of study specific Data Collection Forms (DCFs; see Appendices A-
D).  Only the designated study staff will have access to the REDCap database and paper DCFs created 
solely for use in this study.  Patient data will be de-identified upon study completion, prior to statistical 
analysis.
Table 1.  Study Variables.
Category
Data points
Enrollment Log
1. MRN
2. Name
3. DOB
4. Date of consent
5. DOS/randomization
6. Enrolled (y/n)
7. Randomized (y/n)
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8. Randomization envelope (#)
9. Withdrawn (y/n)
10. Reason withdrawn (if applicable)
Demographics
1.
Phone number
2.
BMI (kg/m2)
3.
Weight (lbs)
4.
Medical history (free text)
5.
Surgical history (major only; free text)
6.
Serum creatinine (most recent prior to surgery) (mg/dl; date)
7.
Hemoglobin (most recent prior to surgery) (g/dl; date)
Intraoperative 
1.
Details of the surgical procedure (free text)
2.
Port number/size(s)/locations (standard protocol -or- deviation from 
standard protocol) – if deviation, explain
3.
Continuously recorded values (only means/standard deviations 
recorded in REDCap) – as measured by Anesthesia
a.
End tidal CO2 (mmHg)
b.
O2 saturation (%)
c.
Respiratory rate (bpm)
d.
Blood pressure (mmHg)
e.
Heart rate (bpm)
f.
Tidal volume (ml)
g.
PIP (peak inspiratory pressure) (mmHg)
h.
PEEP (positive end-expiratory pressure) (mmHg)
4.
Core body temperatures (F) – as measured by Anesthesia
a.
After trocar placement (baseline)
b.
30 minutes
c.
60 minutes
d.
End of procedure
5.
Insufflation time (minutes)
6.
Insufflation pressure (6 or 15 mmHg)
7.
Increased pressure episodes necessary to successfully complete the 
procedure (# times)
a.
Time of each adjustment (hh:mm) 
b.
Level of each adjustment (mmHg)
8.
Significant loss of pneumoperitoneum (# times)
a.
Time of each adjustment (hh:mm) 
b.
Level of each adjustment (mmHg)
9.
Pressure range (lowest and highest; mmHg)
10. Smoke evacuation quality (below average, average, above average)
11. Total amount of gas used during the procedure (l)
12. Scope cleanings (#)
13. Malfunctions of the AirSeal iFS or control devices (# times)
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14. Estimated blood loss (EBL; ml)
15. Obturator artery manipulation (no, left, right, bilateral) – only on 
Case Sheet (Appendix F)
16. Console time (minutes from initial incision to closure)
17. Use of intraoperative pain medication 
a.
Fentanyl (y/n) 
i.
Dose (mg)
ii.
Morphine equivalents (MME)
b.
Toradol (y/n)
i.
Dose (mg)
18. Pathology report
a.
Pathological Stage
b.
Clinical Stage (T1a-c, T2a-c, T3a-c) 
c.
Gleason Score (ranging from 6-10: 3+3=6, 3+4=7, 4+3=7, 
3+5=8, 5+3=8, 4+4=8, 4+5=9, 5+4=9, 5+5=10)
d.
Margins (positive/negative)
e.
Extra prostatic extension (EPE; y/n)
f.
Tumor quantification (%)
Postoperative
(PACU & Floor)
1.
Recorded in PACU
a.
Vital signs recorded in PACU setting
i.
Time
ii.
Respiratory rate (bpm)
iii.
Blood pressure (mmHg)
iv.
Heart rate (bpm)
v.
Temperature (F)
b.
Other PACU assessments
i.
O2 saturation (%) (first recorded)
ii.
Post-operative nausea and vomiting (y/n for each)
iii.
Wound infection (y/n)
c.
Time in PACU (hours)
i.
Arrival & discharge times (hh:mm)
2.
Recorded on Floor
a.
Vital signs first recorded in non-PACU setting (i.e., on the 
floor)
i.
Respiratory rate (bpm)
ii.
Blood pressure (mmHg)
iii.
Heart rate (bpm)
iv.
Temperature (F)
b.
Other non-PACU / Floor assessments 
i.
Labs drawn (y/n)
1.
Serum creatinine (mg/dl; date)
2.
Hemoglobin (g/dl; date)
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ii.
Wound infection (y/n)
c.
Length of stay (days; typically 0 to 1)
i.
Discharge date/time (m-d-y; hh:mm)
3.
Use of postoperative pain medication 
a.
Opioids (y/n for each: fentanyl, Dilaudid, oxycodone, Norco, 
tramadol, Percocet, Demerol) 
i.
Morphine equivalents (MME)
b.
Non-opioids (y/n for each: Toradol, Tylenol, oxybutynin)
4.
Postoperative pain scores (0-10; asleep, missed, or discharged) 
a.
Average and maximum scores during each interval (during 
the PACU stay, the first 4 hours on the floor, next 8 hours, 
and the following 8 hours; as well as the final score 
immediately prior to discharge)
b.
At each location (abdomen, legs, groin, scrotum, shoulder, 
other/specify)
5.
Timing of ability to pass gas (day 0, day 1, day 2, >day 2)
6.
Clinically-significant ileus (i.e., requiring treatment; y/n)
Follow-Up
(1 week, 1 month, & 
3 months)
1.
QoR-15 (0-150) – only asked at week 1
a.
Collected (y/n)
b.
Score (0-150)
2.
Prescription(s) given (y/n) – only asked at week 1
a.
Prescription(s) filled (y/n)
b.
Opioids (y/n for each: fentanyl, Dilaudid, oxycodone, Norco, 
tramadol, Percocet) 
i.
Number of pills taken for each (#)
ii.
Morphine equivalents (MME)
c.
Non-opioids (y/n for each: Toradol, Tylenol, oxybutynin)
3.
Scrotal swelling (y/n) – only asked at week 1
4.
Leg weakness (y/n)
a.
Left, right, bilateral
b.
Degree of weakness (each leg; mild, moderate, severe)
c.
Impaired ability to walk
d.
Impaired ability to drive
We will collect information on pertinent surgical outcomes that occur through discharge.  The average 
amount of time spent in the PACU is roughly 1-2 hours, and the average hospital length of stay is 0-1 
days.  For Intraoperative Item #2, a deviation from the standard port number/size(s)/locations would be 
due to body habitus, and will not have an effect on clinical outcomes.  For Intraoperative Item #3, 
continuous values will be exported into individual patient-specific Excel spreadsheets with the assistance 
of the CareConnect Systems Analysts.  This is due to the fact that there are far too many data points (8 
different variables every 1 minute for 120 minutes) to be manually extracted and subsequently manually 
entered.  The PI will perform individual analyses on these data sets in conjunction with Analysts, and 
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calculate means and standard deviations to be entered into REDCap.  For Intraoperative Item #15, we are 
collecting whether the obturator artery was affected for each leg, as this could potentially be a 
confounder to postoperative leg pain (i.e., increased pain in the affected leg).  Finally, the presence of 
wound infection (in the PACU and on the Floor; Postoperative Items #1b-iii and #2b-iii, respectively), as 
well as clinically-significant ileus (on the Floor; Postoperative Item #6) will be evaluated and assessed by 
nursing staff per routine care and entered into the medical record. 
The Quality of Recovery (QoR)-15 questionnaire (Appendix E) is used to evaluate recovery from 
anesthesia.  The tool consists of 15 questions that assess patient-reported quality of postoperative 
recovery using an 11-point (i.e., 0-10) numerical rating scale, where “0” refers to “all of the time [poor]” 
and “10” refers to “none of the time [excellent].”  Therefore, a higher score refers to better quality of 
recovery.  The questionnaire assesses basic and essential activities of daily life (ADLs), pain, emotions, 
and personal/overall well-being, among others.  The survey will be administered at the 1-week follow-up 
visit only, and takes approximately 2-3 minutes to complete.
The Physician Case Sheet (Appendix F) is a routine form used in the operative suite by the PI.  In the case 
of research-related data that is not otherwise recorded intraoperatively, certain data points are added 
for research purposes so the surgeon/PI is reminded to document.  For the purposes of this study, we 
have added “obturator artery affected (no/left/right/bilateral),” as this is not collected consistently, and 
could be a confounder to our secondary outcome of pain scores (specifically for the affected leg/s, as 
applicable).
2.3 – Study Design
We propose a prospective, randomized, controlled trial comparing insufflation pressures during RALP.  
Standard pressure is typically 15 mmHg, while in our previous study we determined that 6 mmHg is 
possible routinely; therefore, we plan to compare the clinical outcomes of patients between 
pneumoperitoneal pressures.  Potential study subjects will be identified by reviewing clinic schedules at 
the PI’s Robotic Urology practice at Dublin Methodist Hospital.  As part of the new patient paperwork, 
patients will be mailed an informational letter (see Appendix G) highlighting active research studies for 
review prior to the index routine visit with the PI.
All patients that are candidates for RALP will be screened by the Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) 
prior to their surgery planning visit.  Once a patient is identified as meeting all study criteria, they will be 
approached by the CRC at their visit and the study will be thoroughly explained.  After the patient has 
had all their questions answered and has agreed to participate in the study, informed consent will be 
obtained, followed by randomization in a 1:1 single-blinded fashion to either a pneumoperitoneal 
insufflation pressure of 15 mmHg (control group) or 6 mmHg (study group).  The randomization 
allocation schedule will be developed by staff from the OhioHealth Research & Innovation Institute 
(OHRI), and will be hidden from the investigators until directly prior to surgery to prevent bias.  
Specifically, the CRC will open the randomization envelope in the operating room (OR) immediately prior 
to surgery.  Randomization will be blocked to prevent selection and accidental bias.
Patients will be prepared for surgery per standard institutional policy and routine practice; the only 
difference in surgical technique will be the insufflation pressure applied.  All ports will be placed 
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according to routine care using the AirSeal iFS, and all clinical decisions will be made per standard 
practice and policy.  Dr. Abaza (the PI) will be the only surgeon performing these procedures, eliminating 
any variation in technique between surgeons.  Participants in this study are not exposed to any 
additional or different risks associated with the surgery, as all patients will undergo insufflation.  
Following trocar placement, initial insufflation will be performed at 6 mmHg for patients in the study 
group and 15 mmHg for patients in the control group.  If required, insufflation pressures for the study 
group will be increased up to 15mmHg per standard surgeon protocol.  Increased insufflation pressure 
will be maintained either transiently (≤5 minutes to control bleeding or to improve access/visualization) 
or for the duration of the procedure as per surgeon need.  The amount of time at each insufflation 
pressure will be recorded.  
Table 2. Post-operative pain monitoring schedule.1
Timeframe
Description
Time-Points
Pain Locations
During PACU stay
Upon admission to the PACU 
(typical stay of 1-2 hours)
PACU
Abdomen
Legs
Groin
Scrotum
Shoulder
Other/specify
1st 4 hours on the 
floor
Every 2 hours during the first 
4 hours on the floor
Floor-0, 2, & 4
(hours 0 through 4)
Next 8 hours on the 
floor
Every 2 hours during the 
next 8 hours on the floor
Floor-6, 8, 10, & 12
(hours 5 through 12)
Following 8 hours 
on the floor
Every 2 hours during the 
following 8 hours on the 
floor
Floor-14, 16, 18, & 20
(hours 13 through 20)
Final score 
immediately prior 
to discharge
Recorded on the floor prior 
to discharge; OR via phone 
call by CRC for those 
discharged same-day 
Discharge, or
Post-discharge 
1-Scores measured only while inpatient (or post-discharge for those discharged same-day) and awake; measures not taken in <1 
hour from planned time will be marked as “missed.”
Pain scores are measured using an 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS), in which a rating of 0 
corresponds to no pain, 1-3 indicates mild pain, 4-6 indicates moderate pain, and 7-10 corresponds to 
severe pain.  Scores are recorded by nursing staff as part of routine care in the PACU and on the 
postoperative recovery floor during the inpatient stay, however these measures are often not recorded 
in a consistent fashion with respect to timing.  Therefore, we will record scores every 2 hours during the 
inpatient stay while the patient is awake (with the exception of the PACU, which occurs only at 
admission), and determine the average and maximum scores reported over sequential timeframes: 
during the PACU stay (typical stay of 1-2 hours), the first 4 hours on the floor, next 8 hours, and the 
following 8 hours; as well as the final score immediately prior to discharge (see Table 2).  There will be no 
strict time window due to the variability of sleep schedules and discharge timing during the short 
inpatient stay, however, scores will be marked as “missed” if not recorded in <1 hour of the planned 
time.  Pain will be measured with respect to the abdomen, legs, groin, scrotum, shoulder (due to 
insufflation), and “other” location.  Pain medication morphine equivalents (MME) will also be measured 
over the same sequential timeframes during the inpatient stay through 1 week postoperatively.  Patients 
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will be educated on the importance of bringing all medications to follow-up visits, which will lead to 
more accurate pain medication counts and calculations.  
Patients are typically discharged on Day 0-1, and for those discharged on Day 0 (i.e., same-day), the CRC 
will call the following morning to evaluate pain (see Appendix C).  Because we are targeting same-day or 
next-day discharge, there is the potential for missing data in the first 24-hour period.  Therefore, there 
will be no restrictions or protocol deviations for pain scores, as we are collecting scores only while 
inpatient/awake and via phone call for those discharged same-day.  Follow-up visits per routine care 
occur at approximately 1 week postoperatively for catheter removal, as well as at 1 month and 3 
months.  Appointments will follow routine scheduling practices for the office, which may include 
variance in exact visit timing. Generally, patients will have 1 week postoperative visit around 5-7 days 
after surgery, but may be delayed further by approximately 1 week depending on scheduling availability 
and/or clinical indication (e.g. need for cystogram). Follow-up visits are generally 1 month and 3 months 
post-surgery, but may occur approximately a couple weeks before or after as per physician standard of 
care scheduling to accommodate patient and physician availability. There will be no strict visit windows 
to allow for visit scheduling flexibility.  Because the majority of RALP patients will be eligible for 
participation, schedulers will be educated on the importance of return visit timing accuracy.  There will 
be no extended or long-term follow-up via direct patient contact or EMR review.  
Patients that are unable to pass gas while inpatient will be called on postoperative day 1 (if discharged 
same-day only) and day 2.  The post-operative day 1 phone call will also be utilized to assess pain for 
those who were discharged same-day, as explained above.  If a patient confirms that they have passed 
gas on day 1, they will not be called again on day 2.  For Thursday/Friday procedures where days 1 
and/or 2 (as applicable) fall on the weekend, patients will be called on Monday morning and asked to 
recall when they were able to pass gas (i.e., whether it occurred on Saturday or Sunday).  If patients are 
not discharged same-day, they will only receive a single phone call on day 2 if they did not pass gas prior 
to discharge.  Patients who are not discharged same-day and are able to pass gas prior to discharge will 
not receive any phone calls.  In the case that a patient is still unable to pass gas on day 2, we will repeat 
phone calls daily until they are able to do so, although we do not anticipate many patients will need to 
be called past day 2.  We are collecting this data due to recent anecdotal evidence in Robotic Urology 
that patients who receive Percocet were able to pass gas on average in 1.6 days versus 1.4 days for those 
that did not receive Percocet.
Table 3. Study Calendar.
Baseline
Surgery & 
Post-Op 
Stay
Days 1 & 2 
(post-
discharge)
1-Week
Follow-up
1-Month
Follow-up
3-Month 
Follow-up
Informed Consent
x
Randomization
x
Office Visit
x
x
x
x
Intra- & Post-Op DCF 
x
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(Appendices A&B)
Post-Discharge DCF 
(Appendix C)
x*
Follow-Up DCF 
(Appendix D)
x
x
x
QoR-15 
(Appendix E)
x
Phone Calls
x
* Patients will be called for pain scores on day 1 if discharged same day; patients will be called on days 1 & 2 to assess the ability 
to pass gas.
We do not expect any treatment-related adverse events (AEs) or excess risk associated with 
randomization to the study group, as all surgical procedures are considered routine care.  Therefore, we 
will not be tracking treatment-related AEs, only treatment-related serious adverse events (SAEs), which 
will be reported to the OhioHealth IRB via IRBNet reporting using the Adverse Event Template Form, per 
institutional and national guidelines, within 10 business days of discovery or notification of the event.  
SAEs will be tracked for 90 days following discharge via chart review.  Patients will be removed from the 
study only if they revoke their informed consent prior to surgery.  There are no intraoperative events that 
would warrant study removal, and changes in insufflation pressure will be recorded intraoperatively as 
mentioned above.  Further, patients who do not return for follow-up visits (which is not anticipated in 
this population) will still be analyzed in the final dataset.
Only de-identified or non-identifiable data will be reported in the study.  Only the IRB-approved study 
staff will have access to patient information.  All resulting data will be stored in electronic format; 
electronic files will be stored on a password-protected computer and paper files will be stored in a 
secure facility with limited access (the offices of the OhioHealth Research Institute).  Participants will not 
be excluded on sexual orientation, socioeconomic, racial, or religious identity.  The data collection and 
storage processes will follow HIPAA guidelines in accordance with 21 CFR 46.115 (b): to protect both 
confidentiality and privacy of each participant.  All PHI data will be released or destroyed per institution 
protocol.
The only potential risk associated with this study is loss of confidentiality, which will be minimized by 
limiting access to data and de-identifying data at study completion.  The information from this study will 
be used to identify opportunities to improve the care of our patients by potentially encouraging 
surgeons performing all types of laparoscopy or robotic surgery to use lower pressures, in compliance 
with current recommended evidence-based practice guidelines for our patients at OhioHealth.  Potential 
patient benefits to a lower pneumoperitoneal insufflation pressure include decreased postoperative pain 
and improved intraoperative ventilation.  As this study meets the FDAAA 801 definition of an “Applicable 
Clinical Trial”, it is required that the study be registered on ClinicalTrials.gov.  The PI will register and 
activate the study account prior to enrollment, and all results will be entered upon study completion, 
following statistical analysis, per the Results Database Guidelines.
2.4 – Statistical Analysis
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The demographic and clinical characteristics of male patients age 18 or older with prostate cancer who 
are eligible and electing to undergo robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) at OhioHealth 
Dublin Methodist Hospital (DMH) Robotic Urology with the Principal Investigator will be reported using 
means and standard deviations or medians and interquartile ranges for continuous variables, or 
frequencies and percentages for categorical variables.  We plan to compare the clinical outcomes of 
patients between different insufflation pressures (6 versus 15 mmHg).  Continuous variables will be 
compared between two groups using independent sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, as 
appropriate, and categorical variables will be compared using Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, as 
appropriate. 
During the previous feasibility study of RALPs at an insufflation pressure of 6 mmHg, we found that there 
was a significant difference in pain scores at 5-12 hours.  The average score in the 6 mmHg group was 
3.2, and that in 15 mmHg historical group was 3.9.  Using these values and an assumed standard 
deviation within each group of 1.4 (effect size = 0.5), at a significance level of 0.05 to achieve 90% power, 
the estimated sample size will be 86 patients in each group (total 172 patients).  However, to account for 
ineligible patients after enrollment (estimated 10%), we will enroll minimum of 192 patients. 
Aim #1)
 
  Compare average postoperative pain medication use between groups, as measured in total 
 
 
morphine equivalents (MME) over time at pre-specified time intervals through follow-up at 1 week.
Postoperative medication use between the two groups will be assessed at the following time points: 
during the PACU stay, during the first 4 hours on the floor, next 8 hours, the following 8 hours, and 
following discharge through the 1-week follow-up visit.  Both total and average medication use 
measured in total morphine equivalents at/during each time point will be calculated and compared 
between two groups (6 versus 15 mmHg) using independent sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, as 
appropriate.
Aim #2)
 
  Compare average and maximum postoperative pain scores between groups, as measured using 
 
 
the self-reported 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS), over time at pre-specified time intervals through 
discharge.  
Similar to aim 1, postoperative pain scores will be assessed at following time points: during the PACU 
stay, during the first 4 hours on the floor, next 8 hours, and the following 8 hours, as well as the final 
scores immediately prior to discharge (or via phone call if discharged same-day).  There will be only one 
measurement of pain at each bodily location during the PACU stay, as well as at discharge.  However, the 
average and maximum postoperative pain scores will be calculated for each of the time intervals (the 
first 4 hours on the floor, next 8 hours, and the following 8 hours).  The comparison of average and 
maximum scores at each time point between the two groups will be performed using independent 
sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, as appropriate.
The association between patient demographic or clinical characteristics and differences in medication 
use or pain scores will be assessed using multivariate regression.  The appropriate type of regression 
(logistic or linear) used will be determined after data collection is complete. 
Aim #3)
 
  Compare operative ventilation as measured by average tidal volume (ml) between groups.  
 
 
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Tidal volume is the lung volume representing the normal volume of air displaced between normal 
inspiration and expiration when extra effort is not applied (i.e., normal/resting breathing), and is 
measured continuously throughout the procedure by Anesthesia.  Potential patient benefits to a lower 
pneumoperitoneal insufflation pressure include decreased postoperative pain and improved 
intraoperative ventilation.  The average tidal volume for each patient will be compared between the two 
groups using independent sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, as appropriate. 
Aim #4)
 
  Compare average length of stay (typically 0-1 days) between groups.
 
 
The average length of stay postoperatively will be compared between the two groups using independent 
sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, as appropriate.  Also, the proportion of patients in each group 
who went home on day 1 versus day 0 will be compared using Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, as 
appropriate.  A difference of 10% in the proportion of patients will be considered clinically significant.
A p-value of less than 0.05 will be considered statistically significant for analysis.  All of the analyses will 
be performed using SAS Enterprise Guide, version 7.1 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). 
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3.0 – REFERENCES 
1.
A new Valve-Less Trocar for Urology Laparoscopy: Initial Evaluation. Journal of Endourology 2009;23: 
1535-39.
2.
Abbou CC, Hoznek A, Salomon L, et al. Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with a remote controlled 
robot. J Urol 2001;165:1964-1966.
3.
Cullen DJ, Coyle JP, Teplick R, et al. Cardiovascular, pulmonary and renal effects of massively 
increased intra-abdominal pressure in critically ill patients. Crit Care Med 1989;17:118-121.
4.
Kashtan J, Green JF, Parsons EQ, et al. Hemodynamic effects of increased abdominal pressure. J Surg 
Res. 1981;30:249-255.
5.
Mutoh T, Lamm JE, Embree LJ, et al. Abdominal distention alters regional pleural pressures and chest 
wall mechanics in pigs in vivo. J Appl Physiol. 1991;70:2611-2618.
6.
McDougall EM, Monk TG, Wolf JS, et al. The effect of prolonged pneumoperitoneum on renal 
function in an animal model. J Am Coll Surg. 1996;182:317-328.
7.
Ost MC, Tan BJ, Lee BR. Urologic laparoscopy: Basic physiological considerations and immunological 
consequences. J Urol 2005;174:1183-1188.
8.
La Falce S, Novara G, Gandaglia G, et al. Low pressure robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with the 
airseal system at OLV hospital: results from a prospective study. Clin Gen Care. 2017;15(6):e1029-
1037.
9.
Umar A, Mehta KS, Mehta N. Evaluation of hemodynamic changes using different intra-abdominal 
pressures for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Ind J Surg. 75(4):284-289.
10. Kanwer DB, Kaman L, Nedounsejiane M, et al. Comparative study of low pressure v. standard 
pressure pneumoperitoneum in laparoscopic cholecystectomy—a randomized controlled trial. Trop 
Gastroenterol. 2009;30(3):171-174.
11. Hua J, Gong J, Yao L, et al. Low-pressure v. standard-pressure pneumoeritoneum for laparoscopic 
cholecystectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Surg. 2014;208(1):143-150.
12. Modi PK, Kwon YS, Patel N. Safety of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with pneumoperitoneum 
of 20mmHg: a study of 751 patients. J Endourol. 2015;29(10):1148-1151.
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Approved Date: September 3, 2020
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