Post Laparoscopy Shoulder Pain and Postoperative Trendelenburg Position

Laparoscopic surgery has become a standard of care for many gynecological surgeries due to its lower morbidity, pain and cost compared to open techniques. Unfortunately, the use of carbon dioxide (CO2) to insufflate the abdomen is a major contributor to post operative shoulder pain. Shoulder pain post laparoscopy is common and it is a major cause of patient dissatisfaction. The aim of our study is to evaluate the efficacy of positioning the patient in Trendelenburg, post operatively for 24 hours, on shoulder pain reduction. Our hypothesis is based on the assumption that complete CO2 deflation is not possible and that Trendelenburg positioning will help displace CO2 from the sub diaphragmatic area thus reducing the diaphragmatic and phrenic nerve irritation causing pain.