The detection of gas embolisms in neurosurgery caused by joint monitoring with capnography and the Swan-Ganz probe. (Apropos of 7 patients operated on in the sitting position

The aim of this study was to detect per-operative venous gas embolism in neurosurgery using capnography coupled to the Swan-Ganz catheter method. Using both methods, our study, carried out on seven patients operated in the sitting position, showed an occurrence of air embolism in four cases. The diagnosis of air embolism was made on a rapid and progressive drop of FECO2 with, at the same time, a rise of the pulmonary arterial pressure.