The Effect of Nitrous Oxide and Carbon Dioxide Pneumoperitoneum on Postlaparoscopy Tubal Ligation Pain

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Abstract
No study has investigated objectively the effects of various pneumoperitoneum gases on postlaparoscopy pain. The purpose of this study was to compare objectively the effect of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide pneumoperitoneum on postlaparoscopic pain. Patients undergoing laparoscopic tubal ligation under general anesthesia were randomized to carbon dioxide (n = 24) or nitrous oxide (n = 29) pneumoperitoneum. A modified McGill pain questionnaire was used to assess postlaparoscopic pain at 15 min, 1 h, and 25 h postoperatively. The demographics and surgical characteristics of each group were comparable except for patient weight. There was no difference between the groups in postoperative analgesic requirements or pain ratings for each studied time period. Based on these results, nitrous oxide pneumoperitoneum does not appear to produce less postlaparoscopic pain than carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum. (J GYNECOL SURG 9:175, 1993)