Prospective, case-matched study of heated and humidified carbon dioxide insufflation in laparoscopic colorectal surgery.
OBJECTIVE
Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is often prolonged and may cause hypothermia. It is uncertain if heated and humidified carbon dioxide (CO(2)) in laparoscopic colorectal surgery is beneficial. This is a prospective case-matched study on the use of heated and humidified CO(2) in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery.


METHODS
Twenty consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery with heated (36 degrees C) and humidified (95%) CO(2) were compared with 20 consecutive patients using standard CO(2) (30.2 degrees C). All procedures were performed by a single surgeon in an institution. The changes in core temperature during surgery, visual quality of images and the short-term clinical outcome were documented.


RESULTS
The core temperature fell during surgery in both groups. Although the fall of core temperature was more in the control group, it was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The passage of flatus was more delayed in heated and humidified group (P = 0.004), but it did not affect the hospital discharge. All the other parameters, including the quality of visual images and the postoperative pain, were similar in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite better temperature maintenance (nonsignificant), pneumoperitoneum using heated and humidified CO(2) gas did not appear to have any clinical benefits in laparoscopic colorectal surgery.
Yeh
C H
CH
Department of Colorectal Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital and Epworth Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. yin0321@gmail.com
Kwok
S Y
SY
Chan
M K Y
MK
Tjandra
J J
JJ
D000368:Aged; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D007327:Insufflation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
D002245:Carbon Dioxide