[Carbon dioxide gas embolism during laparoscopic cholecystectomy]

A case of carbon dioxide gas embolism during laparoscopic cholecystetomy is presented. Prompt diagnosis and immediate treatment resulted in positive outcome. Laparascopic cholecystectomy is nowadays one of the most common operations for cholecystectomy and certainly the most frequent endoscopic surgical procedure. It is usually safe and effective. However, a number of serious complications have been reported during the procedure. Gas embolism is one of the complications that may occur during the initial gas insufflation or during dissection of the gall bladder. Symptoms are mainly related to the speed and the amount of gas that reaches the venous system. Early recognition and prompt treatment are required to prevent severe morbidity or even fatal outcome. Transesophageal echocardiography has detected many unsuspected cases of gas embolism. However, capnograph monitoring of end-tidal CO2, routinely used in everyday anesthesia, is highly reliable in alerting to the possibility of gas embolism and also in confirming its occurrence. In cases of suspected gas embolism close collaboration between anesthetist and surgeon is required.