The pneumoperitoneum created by CO2 insufflation during laparoscopic cholecystectomy has several potential hemodynamic and respiratory consequences. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of augmented minute ventilation on cardiovascular and ventilatory changes and to prevent hypercarbia due to CO2 insufflation during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Thirty-six patients were divided into three groups according to the level of minute ventilation. The three groups were: control group C (minute ventilation 100 ml/kg, respiratory rate 12 per minute), group R (MV 150 ml/kg, RR is 18 per minute) and group V (MV 150 ml/kg, tidal volume is 1.5 times as much as group C). We repeatedly measured mean arterial pressure , pulse rate , arterial blood gas analysis and end tidal carbon dioxide and peak inspiratory airway pressure before CO2 insufflation, 15 and 30 minutes after CO2 insufflation and 15 minutes after CO2 deflation.

During CO2 insufflation, MAP significantly increased but PR showed little changes in all three groups. PaCO2 and PetCO2 increased in group C, whereas in group R and V, they remained unchanged during CO2 insufflation. But the level of PaCO2 in group V decreased more than in the other two groups after CO2 deflation,. PIP in group V increased 3 times as much as the control value.

These results suggest that augmented minute ventilation in group R and V, prevented hypercarbia during CO2 insufflation and increasing the tidal volume in controlled ventilation was more effective than increasing respiratory rate after CO2 deflation.