Death during laparoscopy: can 1 gas push out another? Danger of argon electrocoagulation.
We report the death of a young man during a laparoscopic partial splenectomy performed with an argon plasma coagulator to remove a benign cyst. The report analyzes the very particular mechanism of a gas embolism, which caused death here. This analysis leads us to recommend a close attention on the use of argon coagulators during laparoscopy. The aim of this article is to draw surgeons' attention to the conclusions of a court-ordered expert assessment intended to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the death of a 20-year-old man during a laparoscopic partial splenectomy performed with an argon plasma coagulator to remove a benign cyst.
Sezeur
Alain
A
Service de Chirurgie Digestive, Groupe Hospitalier Diaconesses-Croix Saint Simon, Hôpital Pitié-Salpétrière, APHP, Boulevard de l'Hôpital, Paris, France.
Partensky
Christian
C
Chipponi
Jacques
J
Duron
Jean-Jacques
JJ
D001128:Argon; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult
D001128:Argon