Physiological responses to endoscopic surgery in children.

The knowledge on the physiological impact of endoscopic surgery in infants and children is limited. Cardiovascular effects of pneumoperitoneum are mainly the result of an increase in intraabdominal pressure, absorption of carbon dioxide, and a stimulation of the neurohumoral vasoactive system. In infants, pneumoperitoneum alters the heart rate, mean arterial pressure, left ventricular endsystolic and end-diastolic volume, and meridional wall stress. Urine production is significantly reduced, and cerebral oxygenation and blood flow are altered. However, postoperative immune function is preserved or restored faster, and specific physiological responses to endoscopic surgery are well tolerated by otherwise healthy infants and children. The effects in children with specific conditions, such as sepsis, cancer, or organ dysfunction, remain to be investigated.