CARBON-DIOXIDE PNEUMOTHORAX IN LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY

BACKGROUND: We conducted this animal study to investigate the cardiopu lmonary effects of carbon dioxide pneumothorax during laparoscopic sur gery and determine what intervention, if any, is necessary for this ph enomenon. METHODS: A swine animal model was used (n = 8). Animals were anesthetized and underwent peritoneal insufflation with carbon dioxid e, A laceration was created in the left diaphragm, pO(2), pCO(2), oxyg en saturation, peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), systolic blood presssu re, and heart rate were measured and subjected to statistical analysis , RESULTS: Significant changes were noted in the pO(2), O-2 saturation , pCO(2), and PIP upon creation of the pneumothorax. Trends were also noted in the heart rate and the systolic blood pressure, The physiolog ic changes could be corrected by noninvasive means and without termina ting the procedure, CONCLUSIONS: Carbon dioxide pneumothorax produces reproducible cardiopulmonary changes in laparoscopic surgery, These ch anges are easily monitored and the resulting cardiopulmonary changes c an be treated without invasive means.