LAPAROSCOPIC HYPOTHERMIA - HEAT-LOSS FROM INSUFFLATION GAS-FLOW

To determine the effects of laparoscopic gas flow on intraoperative hy pothermia, we measured heat loss from intra-abdominally heating cold i nsufflation gas and intra-abdominal evaporative heat losses. Heat loss from heating insufflated CO2 was 304 L/Cal; evaporative loss was 109 L/Cal. Even in the worst hypothetical case of complete water saturatio n of dry insufflated gas, total heat loss would total 81 L/Cal, a rela tively minor contribution to surgical hypothermia.