[Right-sided pneumothorax in laparoscopic cholecystectomy]

In a 28-year-old woman right-sided pneumothorax developed during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The authors believe that the pneumothorax was caused by in the inflow of carbon dioxide into the thoracic cavity without injury to the diaphragm. So far, only a few reports of this complication exist, but in the future it will probably occur more frequently, since the number of laparoscopic operations is increasing. The symptoms are alterations in capnography, subcutaneous emphysema and diminished respiratory sounds.