SPLANCHNIC MUCOSAL ISCHEMIA - AN UNRECOGNIZED CONSEQUENCE OF ROUTINE PNEUMOPERITONEUM

The hemodynamic consequences of a pneumoperitoneum are well understood , but there have been no studies investigating its impact on splanchni c mucosal perfusion. By use of nasogastric tonometry, this study demon strates that fit patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystec tomy at normal pneumoperitoneum pressures (12-15 mm Hg) develop signif icant splanchnic mucosal ischemia. This is a particular concern in pat ients with preexistent peripheral vascular disease undergoing prolonge d laparoscopic procedures.