Fundamentals Of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) Practice Exam

During laparoscopy, a pneumoperitoneum is created with CO2 to lift the abdominal wall and create space for visualization and instrument manipulation. The target intraabdominal pressure is kept in a moderate range to balance adequate working space with minimizing physiologic disturbance. About 10 to 15 mmHg is the typical pressure used; this provides sufficient cavity space for most adult cases without causing excessive cardiorespiratory compromise. The amount of CO2 delivered to maintain that pressure is usually around 1 to 3 liters. This reflects the volume needed to establish and sustain the pneumoperitoneum against tissue compliance and any minor leaks. Larger volumes, such as 4–6 liters, would suggest unnecessary excess gas or leaks and raise risk of hypercarbia or other issues. Very small volumes, like 0.5–1 liter, may be insufficient to maintain adequate pressure in many patients, and volumes as high as 5–10 liters exceed normal practice and are unsafe. So the typical combination is approximately 10–15 mmHg with about 1–3 liters of CO2.