OBJECTIVE To study the effects that pneumoperitoneum achieved through carbon dioxide insufflation has on diaphragmatic excursion in pigs. METHODS A total of 14 male Landrace pigs, 30 to 45 days of age and weighing five to seven kilograms each, were used. The sample was randomly and equally divided into two groups: one (n = 7) in which pneumoperitoneum was maintained at 10 mmHg for 60 minutes;...

Lung packing (glossopharyngeal insufflation) consists of forcing air into the lungs, using glossopharyngeal muscle contractions similar to swallowing. Breath-hold divers perform this technique after a maximal inhalation prior to diving, thus increasing initial lung volume. However, as suggested by previous authors, this breathing maneuver could theoretically lead to lung rupture. Here we report...

Lung volume recruitment involves deep inflation techniques to achieve maximum insufflation capacity in patients with respiratory muscle weakness, in order to increase peak cough flow, thus helping to maintain airway patency and improve ventilation. One of these techniques is air stacking, in which a manual resuscitator is used in order to inflate the lungs. Although intrathoracic pressures can ...

Although the complications of computed tomographic colonography (CTC) are very rare, CTC is associated with potential risk of colonic perforation. In the present report we describe two cases of colonic perforation secondary to CTC. In the first case with ascending colonic carcinoma, insertion of a rigid double-balloon catheter caused direct rectal wall perforation. In the second case with obstr...

Three anaesthetic techniques based on isoflurane were compared in outpatients undergoing laparoscopy. Sixty healthy patients were randomly allocated to receive isoflurane via mask (spontaneous respiration), via tracheal tube (spontaneous respiration) or via tracheal tube with controlled ventilation. Moderate hypercarbia occurred in the group breathing from a mask, although there was no further ...

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of interposed abdominal compressions (IAC) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on gastric insufflation when the airway is not secured with an endotracheal tube. A canine model was used in which a common ventilation pressure was applied to separate cuffed esophageal and tracheal tubes. Gas entering the stomach was collected by a pre-placed...

Clinically significant carbon dioxide embolism is a rare but potentially fatal complication of anesthesia administered during laparoscopic surgery. Its most common cause is inadvertent injection of carbon dioxide into a large vein, artery or solid organ. This error usually occurs during or shortly after insufflation of carbon dioxide into the body cavity, but may result from direct intravascula...

This article reports an evidence-based practice project using the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice to Promote Quality Care for a common nursing procedure, nasogastric tube placement verification in children. Little research exists regarding the care of nasogastric tubes in children, and traditional verification methods prevail. Auscultation of air insufflation over the abdomen is still use...