PNEUMOTHORAX AND PNEUMOMEDIASTINUM AFTER LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY

Pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, and subcutaneous e mphysema have been described as complications of laparoscopy. This stu dy evaluates the incidence and significance of these extra alveolar co llections of air. We found that pneumomediastinum with or without pneu mothorax was not associated with significant morbidity and is more lik ely after laparoscopic fundoplication than other laparoscopic surgerie s. The presence of pneumomediastinum after fundoplication is a normal finding. However, pneumothorax has clinical significance and should be considered pathological. (C) Elsevier Science Inc., 1997.