The effects of pneumothorax on the respiratory mechanics during laparoscopic surgery.

Pneumothorax is rare but can be a severe complication of laparoscopic surgery. Diagnosis of pneumothorax in laparoscopy includes the sudden increase in end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO(2)) with a decrease in compliance and an abnormal increase in airway pressure. By these case reports, we recommend the simultaneous monitoring of airway pressures, dynamic compliance, and particularly, EtCO(2) for an immediate diagnosis and prompt treatment of pneumothorax.