A dual-valve system to minimize loss of pneumoperitoneum in laparoscopic surgery.

Background And Objectives: Loss of visualization of the surgical field due to pneumoperitoneum deflation when CO2 insufflator cylinders become empty can occur at key moments during laparoscopic surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of intraoperative cylinder exhaustion in the United Kingdom, determine its impact on patient safety, and design and test a novel device to minimize the phenomenon.

Methods: We performed a national cross-sectional survey of U.