In hernia surgery, specifically during certain minimally invasive procedures, a gas called carbon dioxide is commonly used.
Understanding Gas Use in Hernia Surgery
When surgeons perform certain types of hernia repair, particularly laparoscopic or robotic-assisted procedures, they need extra space within the abdominal cavity to see and operate effectively. This is where the use of gas comes in.
Based on the provided reference:
Next, the abdomen may be inflated with a harmless gas called carbon dioxide or with a balloon. This is done to create space for the surgeon to work.
This process of inflating the abdomen with gas is known as insufflation.
Why Carbon Dioxide?
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the preferred gas for several reasons:
- Safety: It is a naturally occurring gas in the body and is easily absorbed by the tissues and expelled by the lungs. This minimizes the risk of gas embolism (gas bubbles entering the bloodstream) compared to other gases like air or nitrogen.
- Solubility: CO₂ is highly soluble in blood, meaning if it does enter the bloodstream, it dissolves quickly and is transported to the lungs to be exhaled.
- Non-Flammable: Unlike some other gases, CO₂ is non-flammable, which is crucial in an operating room environment where electrosurgical tools might be used.
- Clear Visualization: Using CO₂ creates a clear working space within the abdominal cavity, allowing surgeons to see the hernia and surrounding structures clearly on a monitor.
The Process of Insufflation
- Small Incisions: The surgery begins with a few small incisions.
- Cannula Insertion: A small tube called a cannula is inserted through one of these incisions.
- Gas Inflation: Carbon dioxide is then introduced through the cannula to inflate the abdominal cavity. This raises the abdominal wall away from the internal organs, creating the necessary working space.
- Instrument Insertion: Additional cannulas are inserted for surgical instruments and a camera (laparoscope).
- Hernia Repair: The surgeon uses the instruments and camera to repair the hernia, often by returning displaced tissue to its proper location and reinforcing the weakened area, often with a mesh.
- Gas Release: At the end of the procedure, the carbon dioxide gas is released from the abdomen.
While gas insufflation is common in minimally invasive approaches, traditional open hernia surgery does not typically require inflating the abdomen with gas, as the surgeon works through a larger incision directly on the hernia site.
Understanding the role of carbon dioxide helps illustrate the techniques used in modern, less invasive hernia repair methods.
