The effects of experimental venous carbon dioxide embolization on hemodynamic and respiratory variables

The Clinical Application of a Self-developed Gasless Laparoendoscopic Operation Field Formation Device on Patients Undergoing Cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

We have designed a new gasless laparoscopic operation field formation (LOFF) device for cholecystectomy which was successfully tested on animal model. The goal of this study is to investigate the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of this LOFF device on patients undergoing cholecystectomy.

METHODS

Patients with cholecystolithiasis or gallbladder polyps who underwent single port cholecystectomy from June 2015 to May 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Either the LOFF-assisted laparoendoscopic single-port surgery (LESS) (LOFF-LESS) or the traditional LESS was performed. Operation time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative hospital stay, surgical complications, incision pain score, shoulder and back pain and cosmetic satisfaction were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 186 patients were included in this study, with 79 in the LOFF-LESS group and 107 in the LESS group. There was no significant difference between LOFF-LESS group and LESS group in operation field establishment time, cholecystectomy time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative hospital stay, incision pain and cosmetic satisfaction. A lower intraoperative arterial carbon dioxide pressure was documented in the LOFF-LESS group (P<0.01). The incidence of postoperative shoulder and back pain was significantly lower in LOFF-LESS group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

LOFF-LESS has comparable benefits of traditional LESS; it deceases incidence of pneumoperitoneum related complications as well.

Complications of CO2 insufflation during endoscopic vein harvesting

Over the past few decades, the use of endoscopic harvest of the saphenous vein has gained popularity due to a significant reduction in rates of wound infection and improved cosmesis. The widespread adoption of this technique has introduced a set of complications associated with the use CO₂ insufflation which facilitates exposure during the vein harvest. We describe a case of pneumoperitoneum with systemic acidosis and subcutaneous air following endoscopic vein harvest for coronary artery bypass grafting and review the complications that may arise from CO₂ insufflation during endoscopic vein harvesting.

Air in the insufflation tube may cause fatal embolizations in laparoscopic surgery: an animal study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of an air embolization with the volume of the insufflation tube during induction of laparoscopy. A further objective was to determine the LD₅₀ of air in young piglets.

METHODS

End-tidal carbon dioxide pressure ([Formula: see text]), pulmonary arterial pressure (P pa), heart rate (f c), and mean arterial pressure (P a carot) were measured in 17 piglets divided into three groups: group 1 (n = 6), bolus application (CO₂ embolization, followed by air embolization, 2 mL/kg each), group 2 (n = 7), continuous air embolization (30 min, 0.2 mL/kg/min), and group 3 (n = 4), continuous CO₂ embolization (30 min, 0.4 mL/kg/min).

RESULTS

All animals survived CO₂ embolism. Air embolization as a bolus (2 mL/kg) or with an accumulated volume of 3.1 mL/kg led to death. Decreases in [Formula: see text] indicated air or massive CO₂ embolization only. There was a good correlation between [Formula: see text] and P pa in case of air embolization (r = -0.80, p < 0.0001). In contrast, no dependency was recognized during CO₂ embolism (r = -0.17, p = 0.2).

CONCLUSIONS

In order to minimize the lethal risk of gas embolization, the insufflation system has to be completely filled with CO₂ before connecting to the patient.

Elevated PEEP without effect upon gas embolism frequency or severity in experimental laparoscopic liver resection

BACKGROUND

Carbon dioxide (CO(2)) embolism is a potential complication in laparoscopic liver surgery. Gas embolism (GE) is thought to occur when central venous pressure (CVP) is lower than the intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). This study aimed to investigate whether an increased CVP due to induction of PEEP could influence the frequency and severity of GE during laparoscopic liver resection.

METHODS

Twenty anaesthetized piglets underwent laparoscopic left liver lobe resection and were randomly assigned to either 5 or 15 cm H(2)O PEEP (n=10 per group). During resection, a standardized injury to the left hepatic vein [venous cut (VC)] was created to increase the risk of GE. Haemodynamic and respiratory variables were monitored, and online arterial blood gas monitoring and transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) were used. The occurrence and severity of embolism was graded as 0 (none), 1 (minor), or 2 (major), depending on the TOE results.

RESULTS

No differences were found between the two groups regarding the frequency or severity of GE, during either the VC (P=0.65) or the rest of the surgery (P=0.24). GE occurred irrespective of the CVP-IAP gradient.

CONCLUSIONS

Mechanisms other than the CVP-IAP gradient seemed during laparoscopic liver surgery to contribute to the formation of CO(2) embolism. This is of clinical importance to the anaesthetists.

Carbon dioxide embolism during laparoscopic surgery

Clinically significant carbon dioxide embolism is a rare but potentially fatal complication of anesthesia administered during laparoscopic surgery. Its most common cause is inadvertent injection of carbon dioxide into a large vein, artery or solid organ. This error usually occurs during or shortly after insufflation of carbon dioxide into the body cavity, but may result from direct intravascular insufflation of carbon dioxide during surgery. Clinical presentation of carbon dioxide embolism ranges from asymptomatic to neurologic injury, cardiovascular collapse or even death, which is dependent on the rate and volume of carbon dioxide entrapment and the patient's condition. We reviewed extensive literature regarding carbon dioxide embolism in detail and set out to describe the complication from background to treatment. We hope that the present work will improve our understanding of carbon dioxide embolism during laparoscopic surgery.

Laparoscopic liver resection: an examination of our first 300 patients

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic liver resection is a procedure in evolution. In the last decade it has evolved from a novel procedure to a standard part of the hepatic surgeon's armamentarium. Few data exist on the development of a laparoscopic resection program.

STUDY DESIGN

With IRB approval, a retrospective review of 300 consecutive laparoscopic liver resections was undertaken. To determine changing results and patterns of practice, the cohort was divided into 3 consecutive groups of 100 patients. Patient demographics, indications for operation, operative factors, and in-hospital outcomes were examined. Continuous variables were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis test; continuous variables were compared with Fisher's exact test. Univariate and multivariate analyses of major complications (≥grade 3) were performed using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of the 300 patients, 173 (61.6%) were female, with a median age of 54 years. There were 133 (44.3%) major resections. The median number of segments resected increased (3 vs 2, p = 0.015), as did the percentage of repeat hepatectomies (13.0% vs 2.0%, p = 0.001). At the same time, median operative time decreased (2.25 vs 3.0 hours, p < 0.001).and estimated blood loss was similar (150 mL vs 150 mL, p = 0.635). Morbidity was similar (11% vs 14%, p = 0.300), as was mortality (1% vs 3%, p = 0.625).

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic liver resection has evolved from a novel procedure to a vital technique in liver surgery. Our group has demonstrated the ability over time to perform more difficult resections with similar morbidity and decreased operative length.

High intra-abdominal pressure during experimental laparoscopic liver resection reduces bleeding but increases the risk of gas embolism

BACKGROUND

Various recommendations exist regarding intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) during laparoscopic liver resection. A high IAP may reduce bleeding but at the same time increase the risk of gas embolism. This study investigated the effects of two different IAPs during laparoscopic left liver lobe resection in piglets.

METHODS

Sixteen piglets underwent laparoscopic left liver lobe resection using carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum of either 8 or 16 mmHg (8 per group). A combination of CUSA System 200™ and LigaSure™ instruments was used for parenchymal division. During resection, a standard injury to the left liver vein was also created to increase the risk of bleeding and/or gas embolism during the operation. Heart rate, cardiac output, and arterial, pulmonary arterial, pulmonary capillary wedge and central venous pressures were measured. Arterial blood gases were monitored continuously. Transoesophageal echocardiography was video recorded to detect and quantify gas embolism within the right cardiac ventricle. The duration of operation and bleeding were noted.

RESULTS

High IAP resulted in reduced bleeding (P = 0·016), but gas embolism occurred more frequently (P = 0·001) than with low IAP. Gas embolism disturbed gas exchange, with an increase in arterial pressure of carbon dioxide, and a decrease in arterial partial pressure of oxygen and pH. These effects were sustained for at least 30 min after surgery.

CONCLUSION

High IAP reduces the amount of bleeding but increases the risk of gas embolism. Monitoring for gas embolism is therefore indicated if a high IAP is used during laparoscopic liver resection.

Gas embolism during laparoscopic liver resection in a pig model: frequency and severity

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic liver surgery is evolving rapidly. Carbon dioxide embolism is a potential complication. The aim of this work was to study the frequency and severity of gas embolism (GE) during laparoscopic liver lobe resection in a pig model and the resulting cardiovascular and respiratory changes.

METHODS

Fifteen anaesthetized piglets underwent laparoscopic left liver lobe resection. Haemodynamic and respiratory variables were monitored, including systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures, end-tidal CO2, and pulmonary dead space. Online blood gas monitoring and a transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) were used. GE was graded semi-quantitatively as grade 0 (none), grade 1 (minor), or grade 2 (major), depending on the TOE results.

RESULTS

In 10 of 15 piglets, GE occurred. In total, 33 separate episodes of GE were recorded. All 13 episodes of grade 2 and three of grade 1 were serious enough to cause mainly respiratory, but also haemodynamic effects. Mostly, grade 1 GE caused only minor respiratory or haemodynamic changes. Most variables were affected during grade 2 GE; the most important were Pa(o(2)), Pa(co(2)), end-tidal CO2, Vd/Vt, and mean pulmonary arterial pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

GE occurred frequently during laparoscopic liver resection in this experimental study. Approximately half of the embolisms were serious enough to cause respiratory or haemodynamic disturbances or both. Pending further human studies, a combination of several monitoring techniques, with narrow limits for the alarm settings, will ensure correct interpretation of the complex physiological response to GE and reveal it early enough to alert the anaesthetist and the surgeon to the ongoing problem.

Intracardiac transvenous echocardiography is superior to both precordial Doppler and transesophageal echocardiography techniques for detecting venous air embolism and catheter-guided air aspiration

BACKGROUND

Venous air embolism (VAE) is a potentially fatal complication during surgical procedures with patients in the sitting position. Since methods for detection of persistent low-volume VAE and targeted air aspiration are limited, we tested the hypotheses that transvenous intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) 1) improves detection of small air emboli in comparison to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and precordial Doppler monitoring (PCD) techniques, and that 2) image-guided multiorifice central venous catheter manipulation improves air recovery in moderate and large VAE, when compared with aspiration with the multiorifice central venous catheter in a static position.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Adult swine (73 +/- 4.6 kg, n = 7) were premedicated, anesthetized with propofol and fentanyl, endotracheally intubated, mechanically ventilated, and placed in a 45 degrees head-up position. First, nine different small volumes of air emboli (0.05-1 mL) were randomly injected via an ear vein, and VAE detection methods were applied in random order. For 378 small volume air injections, ICE had a much higher sensitivity (82.5%, P < 0.0001) on the analysis of VAE detection than TEE (52.8%) or PCD (46.8%), with no difference (P = 0.571) between TEE and PCD. An injected air volume as small as 0.15 mL was detected by ICE in 90% of injections performed, whereas PCD and TEE detected only half of the boluses of 0.25-0.30 mL of air, and required boluses of 0.4-1.0 mL to achieve 100% detection. Air recovery was assessed in a second series of moderate VAE (2, 5, 10 mL); image-guided aspiration-catheter manipulation recovered significantly more (34.1% vs 17.2%, P < 0.0001) intracardiac air than without catheter manipulation. In a third series of injections of large air volumes (25, 50, and 100 mL), air recovery was not significantly different with ultrasound-guided aspiration (41.3% vs 31.8%, P = 0.11).

CONCLUSION

Small air emboli are detected by ICE with much greater sensitivity compared with both PCD and TEE techniques. Furthermore, recovery of embolized air is enhanced by image-guided manipulation of a multiorifice central venous catheter. Clinical studies are required to assess this technique during surgery with patients in the sitting position.

Iatrogenic systemic air embolism treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Air embolism is a rare and potentially severe complication of surgical and invasive procedures. Emboli large enough to produce symptoms require immediate treatment because of the risk of 'gas lock' in the right side of the heart and subsequent circulatory failure. If air is transmitted to the arterial circulation through a shunt, it may cause cerebral emboli with neurological symptoms. We present two cases with venous air emboli and concurrent cerebral arterial emboli. Both patients were successfully treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Carbon dioxide and argon gas embolism during laparoscopic hepatic resection

During laparoscopic hepatic resection, an abrupt decrease in FE'CO(2) (from 28 mmHg to 9 mmHg) associated with near cardiac arrest occurred concomitantly with hepatic vein laceration and the use of an argon beam coagulator system. During venous gas embolism, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) proved the transpulmonary passage of the gas. In the post-operative period, the patient developed pulmonary edema and made a full recovery after 5 days. This is a case report of a possible paradoxic carbon dioxide (CO(2)) and argon gas embolism by transpulmonary passage during laparoscopic hepatic resection.

Liver resection for colorectal liver metastasis

At some point in the natural course of colorectal cancer up to 50% of patients will develop metastasis to the liver. Historically only 20% of these patients would have to be deemed resectable, with an intent to cure, at the time of presentation. But with recent improvements in cross-sectional imaging, chemotherapeutic agents and advances in the techniques of surgical resection the emphasis of resection has now changed to 'who is not resectable' as opposed to 'who is resectable'. There are few contraindications to liver resection on the proviso that the patient is fit enough. As a result of this paradigm shift, 5 year survival rates are approaching 60%. Historically liver resection was perceived as a formidable operation but now liver resection for CRLM is safe and specialist centres are reporting mortality rates of less than 1%. This review briefly covers the standard techniques currently employed and some of the recent innovations being developed to improve resectability.

Faut-il réévaluer le risque d'une embolie gazeuse compliquant une intervention avec insufflation de gaz carbonique?

Due to the characteristics of the carbon dioxide, gas embolism occurring during coelioscopy using this gas is usually considered as non critical. We report three observations of gas embolism which have occurred during laparoscopic surgery, one mild and two having led to death in spite of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. These observations prompted us to reevaluate the role of carbon dioxide in the severity of gas embolism.

Laparoscopic parenchymal division of the liver in a porcine model: comparison of the efficacy and safety of three different techniques

BACKGROUND

Bleeding is a known and CO2 embolization a suggested risk factor for increased morbidity after laparoscopic liver resection. Devices for laparoscopic liver parenchymal transection must be evaluated for safety in this context.

METHOD

Twelve piglets underwent laparoscopic surgery during CO2 pneumoperitoneum, each animal receiving three 6 cm long transections into the liver parenchyma made with ultrasonic dissector, ultrasonic shears and vessel sealing system, respectively. Endpoints were bleeding, operation time and gas embolization. The transections and embolization events, evaluated with transesophageal echocardiography, were video recorded. Bleeding and embolization were also assessed on video tapes and operating time measured. Arterial blood gases were recorded on line.

RESULTS

The ultrasonic dissector was least advantageous in terms of bleeding and operation time. Gas embolization was more frequent with the vessel sealing system than with the ultrasonic dissector and ultrasonic shears. During two episodes of gas embolization, pCO2 increased and pO2 and pH decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of all three devices is feasible. Bleeding and operation time are greatest with the ultrasonic dissector. Gas embolization occurs during transection, though in most instances it is completely harmless. Laparoscopic liver surgery with these techniques used may pose a risk of gas embolization with clinical implications. Monitoring for such events is probably to be recommended.