The defense takes place

Friday, December 15th, 2023. Time: 13:00 am
At the department of Clinical Medicine
Place: in the meetingroom 11.00.035
Selma Lagerløfs Vej 249, Aalborg University

After the defense there will be held a reception. All are welcome.

 

Main supervisors

Professor Sten Rasmussen
MD, PhD, Aalborg University Hospital and Aalborg University

Assistant supervisor

Professor Jørgen B. Jensen
MD, PhD, Århus University Hospital and Århus University

Associated professor Pernille S. Kingo
MD, PhD, Århus University Hospital and Århus University

Assessment Committee

Clinical Professor Benedict Kjærgaard (chair)
Aalborg University, Denmark

Professor Christian Breisland
University of Bergen, Norge

Professor Palle Jörn Sloth Osther
University of Southern Denmark, Denmark

 

About the PhD thesis

Initiating pneumoperitoneum (Pnp) in minimal invasive surgery (MIS), through the insufflation of CO2 into the peritoneal cavity, triggers a sequence of physiological alterations in several organs. These physiological changes are influenced by an increase in Intraabdominal Pressure (IAP) and hypercapnia resulting from CO2 absorption. Studies investigating the effect of Pnp on post-operative Quality of Recovery (QoR) or renal function are scarce.

This Ph.D. thesis aimed to investigate the effect of low Pnp on QoR and renal function. Additionally, it assessed the possible risks associated with operating under low Pnp, including sacrificing the workspace, injury to adjacent organs, and a theoretical increase in the risk of bleeding in a randomized triple-blinded study. The work included three papers published in peer-reviewed journals.

The research involved a randomized, triple-blinded trial with 98 patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Low Pnp (7 mmHg) did not compromise the surgical workspace. There was a significant improvement in patient QoR on the first postoperative day, with enhancements in pain, physical comfort, and emotional state domains. A minor increase in blood loss was observed in the low Pnp group. Low Pnp pressure resulted in significantly lower levels of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (u-NGAL), a key marker of renal injury.

In conclusion, the research provides a nuanced understanding of the impacts of low Pnp during RARP. Low Pnp enhances postoperative recovery, reduces renal injury, and proves feasible without compromising the surgical workspace. The results lay the groundwork for further research to validate the potential benefits of low Pnp, aiming to optimize surgical strategies and improve patient outcomes. This doctoral work significantly contributes to the limited body of knowledge on the effects of low Pnp during MIS, with implications for refining surgical practices and improving patient outcomes, extending the impact beyond the specific context of prostatectomy.

 

Contact information

You can contact Hayder Alhusseinawi if you have any questions about the defense by clicking here on his e-mail.

Hayder Alhusseinawi
E-mail: h.alhusseinawi@rn.dk
Aalborg Universityhospital
Department of Clinical Medicine
9000 Aalborg