Korean J Anesthesiol.  2005 Mar;48(3):324-327. 10.4097/kjae.2005.48.3.324.

Pneumothorax during Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Nephrectomy: A case report

• Shim HS
• Park SH
• Ryu DH
• Kim IK
• Shin MK

• KMID: 2091984
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2005.48.3.324

Abstract

Recently, laparoscopic techniques are being increasingly used for retroperitoneal surgery. These procedures are considered relatively safe and non-invasive, however, there exists a small but important risk of developing complications related to insufflation with carbon dioxide (CO2). A 51-year-old female patient was admitted for retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy under general anesthesia. About 60 minutes after carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum, the patient's oxygen saturation decreased. A chest x-ray was taken in the operating room, which showed pneumothorax in the right lung. We concluded that anesthesiologists should be aware of the occurrence of pneumothorax during the retroperitoneal laparoscopic procedure careful monitoring and appropriate management are needed.

Keyword

laparoscopy; pneumoperitoneum; pneumothorax; retroperitoneal

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia, General
Carbon Dioxide
Female
Humans
Insufflation
Laparoscopy
Lung
Middle Aged
Nephrectomy*
Operating Rooms
Oxygen
Pneumoperitoneum
Pneumothorax*
Thorax
Carbon Dioxide
Oxygen