Cardiorespiratory effects and systemic stress response of abdominal laparoscopic procedures in children: comparison with conventional laparotomy

ABSTRACT

In this study, 30 children aged 1.5-14 years were assigned to undergo laparoscopy or laparotomy with a standard anesthetic technique. Heart rate and mean arterial pressure were monitored at different time intervals. An intra-arterial cannula was inserted. From blood gases, arterial partial pressure of CO2[PaCO2], O2 saturation [SaO2] and pH were measured at five min. after induction [T0], 15 min. into surgery [T15], 30 min. into surgery [T30], at end of surgery prior to extubation [T end] and following extubation [T ext]. Blood prolactin, cortisol, glucose, insulin and interleukin-6 levels were determined at five min. after induction of anesthesia [T0], 30 min. into surgery [T30] and at the end of surgery [T end]. It was concluded that the surgical stress and trauma imposed by laparoscopy seems to be similar to that caused by laparotomy in children undergoing elective abdominal surgery