End-tidal carbon dioxide tension during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Correlation with the baseline value prior to carbon dioxide insufflation.

An investigation of end-tidal carbon dioxide tension changes was carried out in 19 healthy adult patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Following induction of anaesthesia, and throughout surgery, the end-tidal carbon dioxide tension was continuously monitored by capnography. The value following carbon dioxide insufflation increased with time to reach a maximum value after 40 min. Correlation of the individual maximum end-tidal carbon dioxide tension during laparoscopy with the corresponding baseline value prior to carbon dioxide insufflation showed a positive linear relationship (correlation coefficient 0.86). The correlation showed that an end-tidal carbon dioxide tension of 5.32 kPa (40 mmHg) can be achieved during laparoscopy when the baseline value is adjusted to around 4.0 kPa (30 mmHg).