Carbon Dioxide has been used during surgical procedures for many years. Indeed there are studies from the 1950's and 1960's which discuss its use. The surgical use of CO2 has mainly been as an aid to de-airing and the prevention of air emboli during cardiac surgery. With the advent of laparoscopic procedures CO2 has also found a place as the distension gas; this is due to its high solubility.
What we hope to do is show how CO2 is used, how it can best be used, and what the potential benefits are in areas where it might not be used at present.
In order to do all the above one must understand how CO2 acts.
Why is CO2 used in heart valve cases?
Effective CO2 Insufflation over a surgical wound can displace the available air. The aim is to reduce the risk of air embolism by increasing the level of CO2 in the local atmosphere. In order to create a stable CO2 atmosphere you need an effective delivery device. We will show you what the difference between an effective and non effective delivery device is.