Awake Microlaparoscopy with the Insuflow® Device

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Patients undergoing laparoscopy often complain of shoulder pain, shivering, or both following laparoscopy. An increase in awake microlaparoscopic procedures has been reported. The objective of this study was to investigate the usefulness of heating and humidifying the carbon dioxide gas for the pneumoperitoneum with the Insuflow® device (Lexion Medical, St. Paul, Minnesota) during awake microlaparoscopic procedures. METHODS: Awake microlaparoscopy was performed with the Insuflow® device for heating and humidifying the carbon dioxide for the pneumoperitoneum. RESULTS: The incidence of transient shoulder pain in the Insuflow® group was 5% compared with 40% in the dry carbon dioxide group. No patient in the Insuflow® group complained of shivering, whereas 55% in the control group had shivering. Fogging of the microlaparoscope lens was decreased in the Insuflow® group. CONCLUSIONS: Heating and humidifying the carbon dioxide gas produced fewer patient complaints of shoulder pain and shivering and decreased fogging of the micro-laparoscope lens compared with procedures done with dry carbon dioxide during awake microlaparoscopic procedures.