Abstract
Pneumothorax is an uncommon but potentially serious complication that can occur during laparoscopic procedures. A patient under-going laparoscopic cholecystectomy developed an 80% pneumothorax during the course of the procedure and required chest tube insertion. She then underwent an uneventful recovery. The etiology of this complication as well as methods for avoiding this problem have been reviewed. Because of the potential serious nature of this complication, it is imperative that the surgeon be aware of the possibility and implement appropriate immediate therapy.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bailey RW (1991) Complications of laparoscopic general surgery. In: Zucker KA (ed) Surgical laparoscopy. Quality Medical Publishing, St Louis, pp 311–342
Barve JS, Kalro RH, Desan HG (1982) Mediastinal emphysema and pneumothorax: an unusual complication during peritoneoscopy JAPI 30: 113–114
Batra MS, Driscoll JJ, Coburn WA, Marks WM (1983) Evanescent nitrous oxide pneumothorax after laparoscopy. Anesth Analg 62: 1121–1123
Corson SL (1977) Operating room preparation and basic techniques. In: Phillips JM (ed) Laparoscopy. William & Wilkins, Baltimore, pp 88–102
Dashow L, Friedman I, Kempner R, Rudick J, McSherry C (1992) Initial experience with laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the Beth Israel Medical Center. SGO 175: 25–30
Deveney KE (1993) The early experience with laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Oregon. Arch Surg 128: 627–632
Deziel DT, Millikan KW, Economou SG, Doolas A, Ko ST, Airan MC (1993) Complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a national survey of 4,292 hospitals and an analysis of 77,604 cases. Am J Surg 165: 9–14
Doctor NH, Hussain Z (1993) Bilateral pneumothorax associated with laparoscopy. Anesthesiology 28: 75–81
Farn J, Hammerman AM, Brunt LM (1993) Intraoperative pneumothorax during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a complication of prior trans-diaphragmatic surgery. Surg Lap Endo 3: 219–222
Fishburne JI Jr., Keith L (1977) Anesthesia. In: Phillip JM (ed) Laparoscopy. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, pp 69–86
Jones JS, Yuill KB (1952) Spontaneous pneumothorax resulting from pneumoperitoneum therapy. Br J Tuber 46: 30–36
Kent III RB (1991) Subcutaneous emphysema and hypercarbia following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Arch Surg 126: 1152–1156
Levinson CJ (1977) Complications. In: Phillips JM (ed) Laparoscopy. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, pp 220–230
Loffer FD, Pent D (1977) Statistics. In: Phillips JM (ed) Laparoscopy. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, pp 242–246
Murray DP, Rankin RA, Lackey C (1984) Bilateral pneumothoraces complicating peritoneoscopy. Gastrointest Endosc 30: 45–46
Pascal JB, Baranda MM, Tarrero MT, Gutierrez FM, Garrido IM, Errasti CA (1990) Subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, bilateral pneumothorax and pneumopericardium after laparoscopy. Endoscopy 22: 59
Ponsky JL (1991) Complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Am J Surg 161: 393–396
Reigel R (1952) Pneumothorax nach diagnostischem pneumoperitoneum bei laparoskopie. Beitr Clin Tuberk 107: 467–475
Seed RF, Shakespeare TF, Muldoon MJ (1970) Carbon dioxide homeostasis during anesthesia for laparoscopy. Anesth (Lond) 25: 223–225
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Friedman, R.L., Friedman, I.H. & McSherry, C.K. Pneumothorax associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Surg Endosc 8, 797–799 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00593445
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00593445