Does Trendelenburg Positioning During Pulmonary Recruitment Breaths Affect Post-laparoscopy Shoulder Pain

Trendelenburg Positioning During Pulmonary Recruitment Breaths: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether different positioning in the operating room during removal of laparoscopic surgical gas differs in post-surgery shoulder pain. An additional goal of this study is to evaluate whether positions change other post-surgery metrics such as bloating, time to passing gas, nausea and vomiting, and time to oral intake.

Researchers will compare Trendelenburg positioning where your head is tilted down to supine (level or flat) positioning during removal of surgical gas.

Participants will be asked to complete brief surveys at 24 and 72-hours post-surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery for benign gynecologic indication
• Surgery is booked for 60 minutes or longer
• Reliable working phone number or email

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with baseline opioid use
• Patients with existing shoulder or neck pain
• Active malignancy-related pain or surgery for malignant indication
• Concomitant upper abdominal or thoracic surgery
• Pre-existing emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or pneumothorax
• Non-English speaking