title: Carbon dioxide pneumothorax during laparoscopic surgery.
abstract: Anesthetic considerations for laparoscopic cholecystectomy are similar to those for other laparoscopic procedures and result from the creation of a pneumoperitoneum by insufflation of carbon dioxide (CO 2) into the abdominal cavity. The resultant problems such as decreased functional residual capacity, increased airway pressure, hypercarbia, and circulatory impairment are well known [1]. The reported case is that of a healthy 45-yr-old man who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia. As surgery proceeded he developed hypercapnia (arterial blood partial pressure of CO 2 [pCO] 2], 97.1 mmHg; extrapolated end-tidal CO 2 tension [P ETCO 2], 90 mmHg) and hypoxemia (partial pressure of oxygen [pO 2], 53.1 mmHg). The cause was attributed to absorption of CO 2 directly related to the surgical pneumoperitoneum. This report illustrates the diagnosis and management of an unusual case of CO 2 absorption, resulting in hypercapnia and hypoxemia, and a spontaneous recovery within 30 to 60 min without need of thoracentesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, School of Medicine, Inonu University, 44100 Malatya, Turkey. togal@veezy.com
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Togal
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gulhas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cicek
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Teksan
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ersoy
mesh_terms: D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000379:methods*; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000601:surgery*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D007327:Insufflation; D008297:Male; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010313:Partial Pressure; D011031:Pneumothorax, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide