Case report: conservative management of a large capnothorax following laparoscopic renal surgery

As indications for laparoscopy surgery continue to grow for management of upper urinary tract pathology, knowledge of the potential complications that may be encountered and their respective management are essential. Pneumothorax during laparoscopic renal surgery is typically related to a diaphragmatic injury that allows pressurized CO(2) to enter the thoracic cavity. The placement of a chest tube is usually required for large defects and symptomatic patients. However, in selected patients, with understanding of the favorable absorptive properties of CO(2), conservative management may be elected. We report a case of an asymptomatic, large pneumothorax that was allowed to resolve spontaneously, thus reinforcing the notion of noninvasive capnothorax management incurred during laparoscopic renal surgery.