Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (832 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
A condition with trapped gas or air in the peritoneal cavity, usually secondary to perforation of the internal organs such as the LUNG and the gastrointestinal tract, or to recent surgery. Pneumoperitoneum may be purposely introduced to aid radiological examination.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Peritoneal Diseases
Related concepts
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 4,189 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Pneumoperitoneum” (counts retrieved 2026-11-04). 393 of them (9.4%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 2,533 records.
Reviews account for 227 records (5.4%) and meta-analyses for 12. Randomized controlled trials number 81 (1.9%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 2,533 |
| 2000-2009 | 545 |
| 2010-2019 | 718 |
| 2020 onward | 393 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 227 | 5.4% |
| Meta-analyses | 12 | 0.3% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 81 | 1.9% |
Method: PubMed query "Pneumoperitoneum"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-11-04.
Reading the evidence in digestive system and liver
Gut and liver research ranges from laboratory studies of the microbiome to large trials of drugs and surgery. Symptoms such as pain, reflux or bowel change are reported by patients and overlap between conditions, and diet and microbiome studies are mostly observational. Check whether the study measured symptoms, tissue findings or long-term outcomes, how the diagnosis was made and how long people were followed. Nothing here replaces advice from a qualified clinician.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
I-Gel is a suitable alternative to endotracheal tubes in the laparoscopic pneumoperitoneum and trendelenburg position [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundThe use of supraglottic airway devices (SADs) in surgeries with laparoscopic pneumoperitoneum and Trendelenburg (LPT) positioning is controversial due to concerns about insufficient pulmonary ventilation and aspiration.
- Closing excerpt
- gov NCT02462915 , registered on 1 June 2015.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (269 words)
BackgroundThe use of supraglottic airway devices (SADs) in surgeries with laparoscopic pneumoperitoneum and Trendelenburg (LPT) positioning is controversial due to concerns about insufficient pulmonary ventilation and aspiration. In this prospective, randomized-controlled trial, we evaluated whether the i-gel, a new second generation SAD, provides an effective alternative to an endotracheal tube (ETT) by comparing respiratory parameters and perioperative respiratory complications in non-obese patients.MethodsIn a randomized controlled trial, forty anesthetized patients with ASA I-II were divided into equally sized i-gel and ETT groups. We evaluated the respiratory parameters in the supine and LPT position in comparison between the two groups. The leak fraction was our primary outcome, which was defined as the leak volume divided by the inspired tidal volume. The leak volume was the difference between the inspired and expired tidal volumes. We also monitored pulmonary aspiration and respiratory complications during the perioperative period.ResultsIn the LPT position, there were no differences in the leak fraction (median [IQR]) between the i-gel and ETT groups (6.20[3.49] vs 6.38[3.71] %, P = 0.883). In the i-gel group, notably less leakage was observed in the LPT position than in the supine position (median [IQR]: 7.01[3.73] %). This phenomenon was not observed in the ETT group. The rate of postoperative sore throat was also significantly lower in the i-gel group than in the ETT group (3/17 vs 9/11). No vomitus nor any signs associated with aspiration were noted in our patients after extubation in the follow-up prior to discharge.ConclusionsThe i-gel provides a suitable alternative to an ETT for surgeries with LPT positioning in non-obese patients.Trial registrationRegistered at Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02462915 , registered on 1 June 2015.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 28125979 · DOI · PMC5267400
Randomized clinical trial comparing the effects of sevoflurane and propofol on carbon dioxide embolism during pneumoperitoneum in laparoscopic hepatectomy [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Laparoscopic hepatectomy carries a high risk of gas embolism due to the extensive hepatic transection plane and large hepatic vena cava.
- Closing excerpt
- Thus volatile anesthetics may lengthen the duration of embolism episodes and worsen hemodynamics and pulmonary blood gas exchange during surgery.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (208 words)
Laparoscopic hepatectomy carries a high risk of gas embolism due to the extensive hepatic transection plane and large hepatic vena cava. Here, we compared the influence of inhaled and intravenous anesthetics on gas embolism during laparoscopic hepatectomy. Fifty patients undergoing laparoscopic hepatectomy were divided into two groups to receive sevoflurane anesthesia (group S, n = 25) or intravenous propofol anesthesia (group p, n = 25). During the operation, gas emboli were detected by transesophageal echocardiography and graded according to their size. Venous CO2 emboli were detected in all patients, and the embolism grades did not differ between the two groups. However, the mean embolism episode duration was longer in group S than group P (51.24±23.59 vs. 34.00±17.13 sec, p < 0.05). At the point of the most severe gas embolism, the PTCO2 was higher in group S than group p (44.00±4.47 vs. 41.36±2.77 mmHg, p < 0.05), while the PO2/FiO2 (450.52±54.08 vs. 503.80±63.18, p < 0.05) and pH values (7.35±0.05 vs. 7.38±0.02, p < 0.05) were lower in group S than group P. Patients with a history of abdominal surgery or liver cirrhosis had higher gas embolism grades. Thus volatile anesthetics may lengthen the duration of embolism episodes and worsen hemodynamics and pulmonary blood gas exchange during surgery.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 28412755 · DOI · PMC5432352
High-Pressure Pneumoperitoneum Aggravates Surgery-Induced Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Dysfunction in Aged Mice [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common complication after surgery, especially in aged patients.
- Closing excerpt
- These results support the requirement to implement interventions with lower intra-abdominal pressure, which allows for adequate exposure of the operative field rather than a routine pressure.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (103 words)
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common complication after surgery, especially in aged patients. Neuroinflammation has been closely associated with the development of POCD. While the contribution of pneumoperitoneum to the systemic inflammation has been well documented, the effect of pneumoperitoneal pressure on neuroinflammation and postoperative cognitive function remains unclear. In this study, we showed that high-pressure pneumoperitoneum promoted the postoperative neuroinflammation and microglial activation in the hippocampus and aggravated the postoperative cognitive impairment in aged mice. These results support the requirement to implement interventions with lower intra-abdominal pressure, which allows for adequate exposure of the operative field rather than a routine pressure.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 32655313 · DOI · PMC7321510
The effects of robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery with Trendelenburg position on short-term postoperative respiratory diaphragmatic function [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- ObjectiveTo study how Pneumoperitoneum under Trendelenburg position for robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery impact the perioperative respiratory parameters, diagrammatic function, etc.
- Closing excerpt
- The adverse effects may be attributed to the prolonged Trendelenburg position and pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic surgery.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (252 words)
ObjectiveTo study how Pneumoperitoneum under Trendelenburg position for robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery impact the perioperative respiratory parameters, diagrammatic function, etc. METHODS: Patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery in the Trendelenburg position and patients undergoing general surgery in the supine position were selected. The subjects were divided into two groups according to the type of surgery: robot-assisted surgery group and general surgery group. ① Respiratory parameters such as lung compliance, oxygenation index, and airway pressure were recorded at 5 min after intubation, 1 and 2 h after pneumoperitoneum. ② Diaphragm excursion (DE) and diaphragm thickening fraction (DTF) were recorded before entering the operating room (T1), immediately after extubation (T2), 10 min after extubation (T3), and upon leaving the postanesthesia care unit (T4). ③ Peripheral venous blood (5 ml) was collected before surgery and 30 min after extubation and was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine the serum concentration of Clara cell secretory protein 16 (CC16) and surfactant protein D (SP-D).Result① Compared with the general surgery group (N = 42), the robot-assisted surgery group (N = 46) presented a significantly higher airway pressure and lower lung compliance during the surgery(P 1, T2, T3, and T4. ③ Both the general and robot-assisted surgery reduced the postoperative serum levels of SP-D (P ConclusionRobot-assisted laparoscopic surgery significantly impairs postoperative diaphragm function, which does not recover to preoperative levels at PACU discharge. Elevated levels of serum CC16 after surgery suggest potential lung injury. The adverse effects may be attributed to the prolonged Trendelenburg position and pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic surgery.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 38443828 · DOI · PMC10913577
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article A clinical perspective of necrotizing enterocolitis: past, present, and future [5]
- Research article Pneumoperitoneum: a review of nonsurgical causes [6]
- Research article Pneumomediastinum: old signs and new signs [7]
- Research article Spontaneous pneumoperitoneum and other nonsurgical causes of intraperitoneal free gas [8]
- Research article Chilaiditi's syndrome: what should every surgeon know? [9]
- Research article Pneumoperitoneum and its association with ruptured abdominal viscus [10]
References
- Lai CJ, Liu CM, Wu CY, Tsai FF, Tseng PH, Fan SZ. I-Gel is a suitable alternative to endotracheal tubes in the laparoscopic pneumoperitoneum and trendelenburg position. . 2017. PMID 28125979 · DOI · PMC5267400
- Hong Y, Xin Y, Yue F, Qi H, Jun C. Randomized clinical trial comparing the effects of sevoflurane and propofol on carbon dioxide embolism during pneumoperitoneum in laparoscopic hepatectomy. . 2017. PMID 28412755 · DOI · PMC5432352
- Lu B, Yuan H, Yuan H, Zhai X, Li X, Qin J, et al.. High-Pressure Pneumoperitoneum Aggravates Surgery-Induced Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Dysfunction in Aged Mice. . 2020. PMID 32655313 · DOI · PMC7321510
- Xue S, Wang D, Tu HQ, Gu XP, Ma ZL, Liu Y, et al.. The effects of robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery with Trendelenburg position on short-term postoperative respiratory diaphragmatic function. . 2024. PMID 38443828 · DOI · PMC10913577
- Sharma R, Hudak ML. A clinical perspective of necrotizing enterocolitis: past, present, and future. Clin Perinatol. 2013. PMID 23415262 · DOI · PMC3575605
- Mularski RA, Sippel JM, Osborne ML. Pneumoperitoneum: a review of nonsurgical causes. Crit Care Med. 2000. PMID 10921609 · DOI
- Bejvan SM, Godwin JD. Pneumomediastinum: old signs and new signs. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1996. PMID 8615238 · DOI
- Williams NM, Watkin DF. Spontaneous pneumoperitoneum and other nonsurgical causes of intraperitoneal free gas. Postgrad Med J. 1997. PMID 9373590 · DOI · PMC2431444
- Saber AA, Boros MJ. Chilaiditi's syndrome: what should every surgeon know?. Am Surg. 2005. PMID 15869145 · DOI
- Winek TG, Mosely HS, Grout G, Luallin D. Pneumoperitoneum and its association with ruptured abdominal viscus. Arch Surg. 1988. PMID 3285808 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.