Gas Embolism during Diagnostic Laparoscopy Combined with Hysteroscopic Procedure: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

ABSTRACT

Laparoscopy is a frequently used technique in surgery and gaining wide popularity replacing laparotomy. The advantages of laparoscopy are shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, more decreased postoperative pain and smaller scar than laparotomy. But inducing artificial pneumoperitoneum with gas causes various complications. Among them, gas embolism is a rare but fatal complication and may occur more frequently when laparoscopy is performed simultaneously with hysteroscopy. We experienced one case of gas embolism during diagnostic laparoscopy for secondary infertility and hysteroscopic resection of uterine myoma under general anesthesia. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment seem to be the keys to prevent catastrophic outcome and the anesthesiologist should know about it's patho- physiology, preventive methods, diagnosis and treatment.