BACKGROUND: Transperitoneal laparoscopy for renal surgery is now a common procedure. Previous studies have suggested that retroperitoneal laparoscopy is associated with greater carbon dioxide absorption. We compared carbon dioxide absorption and hemodynamic variables in patients undergoing transperitoneal laparoscopy for renal or adrenal surgery with that of patients undergoing intraperitoneal laparoscopy for colon surgery.

METHODS: Thirty two patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery were divided into laparoscopic renal surgery group (n = 16) and laparoscopic colon surgery group (n = 16). We measured hemodynamic changes and arterial blood gases before CO2 insufflation, 10 minutes, 70 minutes after insufflation and 30 minutes after exsufflation in each groups.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference in carbon dioxide absorption in patients who underwent transperitoneal laparoscopy compared to intraperitoneal laparoscopy at any interval.

CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to previous reports, our study suggests that transperitoneal laparoscopy is not associated with greater carbon dioxide absorption compared to intraperitoneal laparoscopy.