Physiologic alterations during pelvic laparoscopy

Abstract

We have reviewed our technique of anesthesia for laparoscopy and described our experience in a series of 90 patients. We had previously noted that when carbon dioxide is used to produce pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopy, there is a significant rise in arterial pCO2. When nitrous oxide is used for this purpose, we noted no significant alterations in arterial blood gases. It appears, therefore, that elevated arterial pCO2 after insufflation of carbon dioxide into the abdomen is a result of absorption of the gas from the peritoneal cavity and not due to impaired ventilation during anesthesia. Although either gas may be used safely, nitrous oxide is probably somewhat superior for the reasons that we have outlined.