A Randomised Controlled Trial Investigating the Effect of Humidified Warm Carbon Dioxide Gas Insufflation During Laparoscopic and Open Abdominal Surgery

Several factors during surgery can contribute to peri-operative hypothermia including cool operating rooms, infusion of cool fluids, evaporation of surgical skin preparation and effects of anaesthetic drugs. During open surgery, radiated and evaporative heat loss plays a role in contributing to hypothermia. Gas used to create an operating space during laparoscopic surgery has also been shown to contribute to hypothermia and this is associated with the duration of anaesthesia and the volume of insufflation gas.

Cold and dry insufflation gas is not only a key contributor to hypothermia but also has an effect on the drying of the inside lining of the tummy (peritoneum) and consequently causing post surgery pain. This study seeks to investigate the use of warm and humidified insufflation gas to assess its benefits on body temperature and post surgery pain.