Alterations in pulmonary function following laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Abstract

Background: In laparoscopic cholecystectomy, inflammation of the punctured abdominal wall or gall bladder bed, carbon dioxide pneumo-peritoneum and intraoperative patient position has significant effect in the pathogenesis of pulmonary dysfunction. The objective of this study is to detect any changes in pulmonary functions following laparoscopic cholecystectomy using bedside spirometry and to detect degree of impairment of pulmonary function, their complications and the time taken for recovery of post-operative spirometry measurements to the preoperative (baseline) values.