What Researchers Did
Chinese doctors documented the case of a 56-year-old woman who suffered a rare cerebral carbon dioxide (CO2) gas embolism during routine laparoscopic surgery, causing seizures and unconsciousness, and then treated her with HBOT alongside other therapies.
What They Found
Brain MRI showed multiple low-density lesions consistent with gas emboli. Following continuous HBOT combined with brain cooling, hormone therapy, and anticoagulation, the patient gradually improved and recovered neurological function. The authors identified this as an extremely rare but potentially fatal surgical complication.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Laparoscopic surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures in Canada. While cerebral CO2 embolism is extremely rare, this case shows that HBOT can be a key part of treatment when it occurs. Surgeons and anesthesiologists performing laparoscopic procedures should be aware of this complication and have access to HBOT as part of their emergency protocol.
Canadian Relevance
Arterial gas embolism is an OHIP-covered indication for HBOT in Ontario. A cerebral gas embolism from laparoscopic surgery may qualify for OHIP-covered emergency HBOT treatment.
Study Limitations
This is a single case report, so it cannot establish how HBOT compares to other treatments or what the optimal HBOT protocol is for CO2 embolism specifically.