Korean J Anesthesiol.  2010 Dec;59(6):425-428. 10.4097/kjae.2010.59.6.425.

The use of chest band to prevent CO2 subcutaneous emphysema expansion: Two case reports

• Jeong IH
• Choi WJ
• Kim YH
• Kim HS

• KMID: 1766505
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2010.59.6.425

Abstract

CO2 subcutaneous emphysema is one of the complications of laparoscopic surgery using CO2 gas. During laparoscopic surgery, CO2 gas can spread to the entire body surface through the subcutaneous tissue layer. Extensive CO2 subcutaneous emphysema results in hypercarbia and acute respiratory acidosis. Hypercarbia and acidosis can lead to decreased cardiac contractility and arrhythmia. A cloth band, 5 cm in width and 120 cm in length, was made with Velcro tape at both tips, and placed on the patient's xyphoid process level and inframammary fold to prevent CO2 subcutaneous emphysema. This report describes two successful cases using a chest band to prevent the expansion of CO2 subcutaneous emphysema.

Keyword

Emphysema; Hypercarbia; Laparoscopy

MeSH Terms

Acidosis
Acidosis, Respiratory
Arrhythmias, Cardiac
Emphysema
Laparoscopy
Subcutaneous Emphysema
Subcutaneous Tissue
Thorax