• J B Brodsky, H J M Lemmens, J S Collins, J M Morton, M J Curet, and J G Brock-Utne.
• Department of Anesthesia, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. Jbrodsky@stanford.edu
• Obes Surg. 2005 Apr 1; 15 (4): 494-6.

BackgroundNitrous oxide (N2O) is frequently used to supplement more potent anesthetic agents. One side-effect of N2O is its ability to expand an air-containing space. We investigated if N2O adversely affected operating conditions by distending normal bowel during laparoscopic bariatric procedures.Methods50 morbidly obese patients were divided into 2 study groups. Group 1 patients were ventilated with a halogenated anesthetic/oxygen/air mixture, while Group 2 received a halogenated anesthetic/oxygen/N2O mixture. At 30, 60, and 90 min intervals during the operation, the surgeon was asked if N2O was being used.ResultsThe surgeons responded correctly only 42% (30 min), 50% (60 min), and 48% (90 min) of the time. In Group 2 (N2O) patients, they incorrectly answered that N2O was not being used 88% (30 min), 68% (60 min), and 68% (90 min); and in Group 1 (air) patients, they incorrectly answered that N2O was being used 28% (30 min), 32% (60 min), and 36% (90 min) of the time.ConclusionWe found that using N2O did not cause noticeable bowel distention during laparoscopic bariatric procedures of relatively short duration.

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