Background:
Laparoscopic colorectal surgery may adversely affect respiration, circulation, and acid-base balance in elderly patients, owing to the relatively long duration of CO
2
absorption. We conducted this retrospective study to determine the safety and efficacy of warmed, humidified CO
2
pneumoperitoneum in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery.
Methods:
We enrolled 245 patients between January 2016 and August 2018.
The experimental group (warming and humidification group [WH]) received warmed (37°C), humidified (98%) insufflation of CO
2
, and the control group (cold, dry CO
2
/control group [CD]) received standard CO
2
(19°C, 0%). All other aspects of patient care were standardized. Intraoperative hemodynamic data, arterial blood pH, and lactic acid levels were recorded. We also recorded intra-abdominal pressure, incidence of shivering 1 hour after surgery, satisfaction scores of patients and surgeons 24 hours after surgery, times to first flatus/defecation, first bowel movement, and tolerance of semiliquid food, discharge time, and incidence of vomiting, diarrhea, and surgical site infections.
Results:
Compared with the WH group, heart rate and mean arterial pressure were significantly higher from T3 to T8 (
P
< .05), lactic acid levels were significantly higher from T4 to T9 (
P
< .05), and recovery time in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) was significantly longer in the CD group (
P
< .05). Patient and surgeon satisfaction scores were significantly higher in the WH group than the CD group (
P
< .05). In addition, the times to first flatus/defecation and bowel movement were significantly longer in the CD group (
P
< .05). No significant differences were noted between the groups in the time to tolerance of semiliquid food and time of discharge (
P
> .05). The incidence of vomiting, diarrhea, and shivering was significantly lower in the WH group (
P
< .05). The number of patients with a shivering grade of 0 was significantly higher in the WH group, whereas the number with a shivering grade of 3 was significantly higher in the CD group (
P
< .05).
Conclusion:
Warmed, humidified insufflation of CO
2
in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery could stabilize hemodynamics, and reduce lactic acid levels, recovery time in the PACU, and the incidence of acute gastrointestinal injury-related symptoms.