Laparoscopic hypothermia.

Operative laparoscopy is experiencing an increase in its use and indications. This expansion exposes patients to increased operating time, larger volumes of carbon dioxide for maintenance of a pneumoperitoneum, and higher gas flow rates for intraperitoneal delivery. Patients with medical complications, advancing age, and potentially contaminated procedures are now considered acceptable candidates for operative endoscopic techniques via laparoscopy. A previously observed but unquantified amount of hypothermia was measured and evaluated by changes in core temperature after known quantities of carbon dioxide were delivered intra-abdominally over measured periods of time and with controlled flow rates. A decrease of 0.3 degrees C in the core temperature was observed for each 50 L of carbon dioxide delivered.