The surgical registrar on duty calls you up to ask for
advice. A 24-year-old female patient was admitted under their care the previous
night and underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy for investigation of abdominal
pain. The examination was normal, the pain has subsided and the plan is to
discharge the patient. The patient is a tourist and wants to travel back to her
home country. He would like to know how soon after laparoscopy a patient might
undertake an airline flight. What would your reply be?
a) Immediately
b) After one week
c) After five days
d) 48 hours
e) Ten days
Answer:
d)
Modern aircraft normally cruise at between 35,000 to
43,000 feet. As this environment would be non-physiological, the aircraft cabin
is pressurised to a maximum cabin altitude of 8,000 feet. This reduced
atmospheric pressure would cause gas in body cavities to expand by 30-40%.
Hence, air travel should be delayed for 48 hours after laparoscopy to allow all
gas to be absorbed.
