Laparoscopic surgery uses carbon dioxide to create pneumoperitoneum during the procedure. Carbon dioxide is commonly used because it is readily available, cheap, suppresses combustion, is easily absorbed by tissues, and is quickly released through respiration. However, the buildup of carbon dioxide can cause hypercarbia, acidosis and hypoxia in the body. It also decreases venous return and cardiac output by exerting pressure on the IVC. This in turn increases arterial pressure and compromises respiratory function by compressing the diaphragm.

1. Laparoscopic
Surgery
Lavina Belayutham

2. Creation of pneumoperitoneum
 Created using veress needle through
umbilical incision
Access achieved by open method through an
umbilical incision

4. Pneumoperitoneum created upto a pressure
of 15mmHg which distends the abdominal
cavity adequately to have proper visualisation
of the abdominal contents.
Gases used :
- Carbon dioxide (commonly used)
- Air
- Nitrous oxide
- Helium
- Argon

5. Why is carbon dioxide commonly used to create
pneumoperitoneum?
1.Readily available
2.Cheaper
3.Suppresses the combustion
4.Easily absorbed by tissues
5.Has high diffusion coefficient
6.Quickly released via respiration

6. Physiologic changes due to pneumoperitoneum:
1.Carbon dioxide causes hypercarbia, acidosis
and hypoxia
2.Pneumoperitoneum exerts pressure on the
IVC, decreases the venous return and so the
cardiac output
3.It increases the arterial pressure
4.Compromises respiratory function by
compressing over the diaphragm impairing
the pulmonary compliance

7. Physiologic changes due to pneumoperitoneum:
1.Carbon dioxide causes hypercarbia, acidosis
and hypoxia
2.Pneumoperitoneum exerts pressure on the
IVC, decreases the venous return and so the
cardiac output
3.It increases the arterial pressure
4.Compromises respiratory function by
compressing over the diaphragm impairing
the pulmonary compliance