End-tidal carbon dioxide measurements as a surrogate to arterial carbon dioxide during pediatric laparoscopic surgeries: a prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Maintaining normocapnia during mechanical ventilation in anesthetized children during laparoscopic surgeries is highly recommended. There is a debate regarding the use of capnography (ETCO) as a trend monitor for evaluation of arterial carbon dioxide levels (PaCO). We analyzed the relationship between ETCO and PaCO with time in elective pediatric laparoscopic surgeries.