[Subcutaneous emphysema during laparoscopy. A case report]

Diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy is a safe procedure, which, however, is not without complications. In this article, we report a case of subcutaneous emphysema, as a consequence of pneumoperitoneum, during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The mechanism for the development of this complication and its management are discussed.

Effect of subcutaneous carbon dioxide insufflation on arterial pCO2

PURPOSE

Subcutaneous emphysema following laparoscopy could result in postoperative respiratory acidosis from prolonged CO2 absorption. We studied the magnitude and duration of alterations in PaCO2 coincident with direct CO2 insufflation into the subcutaneous fat of the anterior abdominal wall of 5 anesthetized juvenile pigs.

METHODS

First, each pig was insufflated with 6 L of CO2 to produce moderate emphysema over the trunk. Following return to baseline PaCO2, each pig was re-insufflated with 12 L of CO2 to produce severe emphysema over lower limbs, neck, head, and trunk. Measurements of arterial blood gases were performed every 5 or 10 min. Minute ventilation was held constant to represent the worst case scenario.

RESULTS

From baseline PaCO2 of 41.8 +/- 2.3 mm Hg, PaCO2 peaked at 68.3 +/- 8.6 (P < 0.02) and 92.9 +/- 10.7 (P < 0.01) mm Hg for the 6- and 12-L volumes, respectively, 20 to 25 minutes following insufflation. From baseline arterial pH of 7.40 +/- 0.02, respective nadirs of pH were 7.21 +/- 0.06 (P < 0.02) and 7.08 +/- 0.05 (P < 0.01). PaCO2 and arterial pH took approximately 100 minutes to return to baseline after insufflation with both 6 and 12 L volumes.

CONCLUSIONS

When minute ventilation is fixed, subcutaneous CO2 insufflation causes increased PaCO2 and decreased pH that may persist for a prolonged period of time. Therefore, patients with subcutaneous emphysema after laparoscopy should be observed in postanesthetic recovery until PaCO2 and pH approach baseline.

Carbon dioxide absorption during laparoscopic pelvic operation

BACKGROUND

Several factors may influence the degree of carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption during laparoscopy. Hypercapnia as a result of excessive CO2 absorption may have adverse clinical effects.

STUDY DESIGN

To identify factors associated with increased CO2 absorption, we retrospectively calculated the CO2 elimination in 65 adult patients who underwent operative pelvic laparoscopy. Increases in CO2 elimination were assumed to be indicative of CO2 absorption. The most commonly performed procedures were bladder neck suspension and pelvic lymphadenectomy. The median insufflation time was 165 minutes. An extraperitoneal approach was taken in 32 percent of the patients.

RESULTS

Of patients evaluated with postoperative roentgenograms of the chest, 35 percent had subcutaneous emphysema and 9 percent had pneumomediastinum with or without pneumothorax. Multiple factorial analysis of the variance revealed that the extraperitoneal approach, development of subcutaneous emphysema, and increased duration of insufflation were independently associated with a greater increase in peak CO2 elimination. Insufflation time and subcutaneous emphysema had stronger effects in the extraperitoneal group.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk factors for hypercapnia can be identified. Careful consideration of the patient's ability to tolerate hypercapnia should be made when planning extraperitoneal laparoscopy, especially if the procedure is likely to be prolonged. The clinical development of subcutaneous emphysema should alert the surgeon to the possibility of subsequent hypercapnia.

Bilateral spontaneous pneumothoraces, pneumopericardium, pneumomediastinum, and subcutaneous emphysema: a rare presentation of paraquat intoxication

Pneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema, and pneumomediastinum occur frequently in critically ill patients in association with blunt or penetrating injuries or other conditions while performing Valsalva-like maneuvers. We present the case of a patient with bilateral pneumothoraces, pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, and subcutaneous emphysema after acute paraquat intoxication.