Annals of surgery
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To review the physiologic effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) pneumoperitoneum in the morbidly obese. ⋯ Morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery are at risk for intraoperative complications relating to the use of CO2 pneumoperitoneum. Surgeons performing laparoscopic bariatric surgery should understand the physiologic effects of CO2 pneumoperitoneum in the morbidly obese and make appropriate intraoperative adjustments to minimize the adverse changes.