Carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide is a colorless, odorless gas naturally present in the atmosphere and vital to life on Earth. In medicine, it is primarily used as an insufflation gas during minimally invasive surgeries (such as laparoscopy, endoscopy, and arthroscopy) to enlarge and stabilize body cavities for improved visibility of the surgical area. It can also be used as a respiratory stimulant before or after anesthesia, in cryotherapy (as solid dry ice for tissue freezing), and occasionally to expand organs for internal examination. Mechanistically, inhaled carbon dioxide increases blood CO2 levels (hypercapnia), stimulating the respiratory center in the brainstem to increase breathing rate and depth[1][2][3][4]. It may also cause vasodilation of cerebral blood vessels[8]. Medical-grade carbon dioxide is supplied under high pressure in cylinders.

Other names

Medical carbon dioxideDry iceCarbonic acid gas