Gastro-esophageal regurgitation (GER) and eventual aspiration is consi
dered a major risk during general anesthesia. High intraperitoneal pre
ssure produced during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is a possible
source of increased GER. We investigated the incidence of GER using co
ntinuous esophageal pH monitoring in 14 patients undergoing elective L
C. Only two brief episodes of acid reflux (pH < 4) occurred during LC.
Apparently the high intraperitoneal pressure during LC carries no inc
reased risk of regurgitation and aspiration.