Carbon dioxide embolism during laparoscopy: a case report

Abstract

A 28-year-old female with a diagnosis of multiparity was scheduled for laparoscopic tubal ligation. The patient had an unremarkable medical history, except that she had been a pack-a-day smoker for the past 10 years and had experienced a recent upper respiratory infection. General anesthesia was accomplished without incident, and insufflation of the abdomen with carbon dioxide (CO2) gas was begun. During insufflation the end tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) level dropped dramatically, ECG changes were noted, and vital signs deteriorated with the subsequent development of cardiac arrest. The patient was successfully resuscitated, fully awake, and extubated approximately 1 hour after the incident. A CO2 embolus caused by CO2 insufflation was suspected. In laparoscopic procedures, the use of CO2 gas is an efficient and inexpensive means of improving visualization of the abdominal cavity. The effect of CO2 insufflation on the patient should be given special consideration in these cases. Although serious complications associated with the use of CO2 gas are rare, such procedures must not be viewed with complacency. A protocol for the management of emergency situations should be developed and reviewed.