Estimation of Serum Potassium in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

ABSTRACT

Background: The cardiovascular implications due to CO2 insufflation during laparoscopic surgeries have been a subject of research. Animal studies have reported life threatening increase in serum potassium levels during rise in intra-abdominal pressure. Methods: Induction of 30 patients undergoing laproscopic cholecystectomy was done by giving Thiopentone sodium 5 mg/kg and orotracheal intubation was facilitated by 0.1 mg/kg of vecuronium bromide. Blood samples for potassium were taken at pre-induction, pre insufflation, every 20 minutes during insufflations, immediate post exsufflation and immediately after extubation. Results: Serum potassium increased significantly (p<0.01) after insufflation of carbon dioxide (pre-induction 3.9 ± 0.3 vs. 4.5 ± 0.3 at 40 minutes of insufflation). The haemodynamics i.e blood pressure and pulse rate remained fairly (p>0.05) throughout the study period. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, we recommend that monitoring of serum potassium should be done in patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures of prolonged duration.