Low-Intensity Mechanical Ventilation in the Operating Room: a Pilot Study

The aim of the study is to assess whether a bundle of protective low-intensity mechanical ventilation interventions reduces perioperative atelectasis and postoperative pulmonary complications, compared with standard care in a robot-assisted surgical setting. The feasibility of this ventilation bundle will also be assessed.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adult patients undergoing non-emergent intra-abdominal or pelvic robot-assisted surgery with an expected duration of at least 2 hours, under general anesthesia with planned extubation at the end of the procedure Exclusion Criteria: * Known pregnancy * Pre-existing intubation or tracheostomy * Contraindications for esophageal manometry: severe midface trauma or recent nasal surgery, esophageal varices, recent gastric or esophageal surgery * Contraindications for electrical impedance tomography (EIT): inability to place EIT belt, presence of an active electronic implantable device (e.g., pacemaker, ICD)