Prospective randomized trial of low-pressure pneumoperitoneum for reduction of shoulder-tip pain following laparoscopy.
BACKGROUND
Postoperative shoulder-tip pain occurs frequently following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The aim of this randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy of a low-pressure carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic surgery in reducing the incidence of postoperative shoulder-tip pain.


METHODS
Ninety consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized prospectively into low-pressure (group A) and normal-pressure (group B) laparoscopic cholecystectomy groups. Patients in group A (n = 46) underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with 9 mmHg carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum during most of the operation, and those in group B (n = 44) had laparoscopic cholecystectomy with 13 mmHg pneumoperitoneum. Shoulder-tip pain was recorded on a visual analogue pain scale 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after operation.


RESULTS
The low-pressure pneumoperitoneum did not increase the duration of surgery. There were no significant intraoperative or postoperative complications in either group. Fourteen patients (32 per cent) in group B and five (11 per cent) in group A complained of shoulder pain (P<0.05). Mean shoulder-tip pain scores at 12 and 24 h and postoperative analgesia requirements were also significantly lower in the low-pressure laparoscopic cholecystectomy group (P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
A carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum pressure lower than that usually utilized to perform laparoscopic surgery reduces both the frequency and intensity of shoulder-tip pain following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Sarli
L
L
Institute of General Surgery and Surgical Therapy, Parma University School of Medicine, Parma, Italy.
Costi
R
R
Sansebastiano
G
G
Trivelli
M
M
Roncoroni
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011028:Pneumoperitoneum, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D011312:Pressure; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D002245:Carbon Dioxide