[Factors determining the level of PaCO2 during laparoscopic cholecystectomy]

Factors responsible for the elevation of PaCO2 were investigated in 30 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy using CO2 gas insufflation. Intraperitoneal insufflation of CO2 gas was performed to the level of 15 mmHg of intraperitoneal pressure in each patient and the following measurements were made: body height, body weight, body surface area (BSA), circumference of abdominal wall, obesity index, body mass index (BMI), operating time, total volume of insufflated CO2 gas, and change of peak inspiratory pressure. Rate of elevation of PaCO2 showed the highest correlation with BSA (correlation coefficient -0.691 [P < 0.01]) followed by body weight, body height, and circumference of abdominal wall. These results suggest that during laparoscopic cholecystectomy using CO2 gas insufflation, the degree of CO2 storage capacity has the highest effect on the elevation of PaCO2.