Obesity surgery
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Comparative Study
Helium pneumoperitoneum ameliorates hypercarbia and acidosis associated with carbon dioxide insufflation during laparoscopic gastric bypass in pigs.
In the morbidly obese patient undergoing laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGBP), insufflation with carbon dioxide to 20 mmHg for prolonged periods may induce significant hypercarbia and acidosis with attendant sequelae. We hypothesize that the use of helium as an insufflating agent results in less hypercarbia and acidosis. ⋯ Helium pneumoperitoneum in LGBP is associated with less intraoperative hypercarbia and acidosis than is the use of CO2. In addition, pCO2 returns to normal more rapidly postoperatively with the use of helium insufflation. Study of helium insufflation in humans undergoing LGBP is needed to prove its benefits in the clinical setting.