Improved outcomes for lap-banding using the Insuflow device compared with heated-only gas.
OBJECTIVE
Preconditioning gas by humidification and warming the pneumoperitoneum improves laparoscopic outcomes. This prevents peritoneal desiccation and detrimental events related to traditional cold-dry gas. Few comparisons have been done comparing traditional cold-dry, heated-only, and humidified-warmed carbon dioxide.


METHODS
A prospective, controlled, randomized, double-blind study of laparoscopic gastric banding included 113 patients and compared traditional dry-cold (n=35) versus dry-heated (n=40), versus humidified-warm gas (n=38). Pain medications were standardized for all groups. Endpoints were recovery room length of stay, pain location, pain intensity, and total pain medications used postoperatively for up to 10 days.


RESULTS
The humidified-warmed group had statistically significant differences from the other 2 groups with improvement in all end points. The dry-heated group had significantly more pain medication use and increased shoulder and chest pain than the other 2 groups had.


CONCLUSIONS
Using warm-humidified gas for laparoscopic gastric banding reduces shoulder pain, shortens recovery room length of stay, and decreases pain medication requirements for up to 10 days postoperatively. Dry-heated gas may cause additional complications as is indicated by the increase in pain medication use and pain intensity.
Benavides
Richard
R
Surgery Center of Richardson, Texas, USA. scasey@aigb.com
Wong
Alvin
A
Nguyen
Hoang
H
D000328:Adult; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D007327:Insufflation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D011028:Pneumoperitoneum, Artificial; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002245:Carbon Dioxide