How Low-Pressure Insufflation Elevates Patient Care and OR Efficiency

  • Published: 6/12/2025
  • 3 min

In the ever-evolving landscape of minimally invasive surgery, optimizing outcomes doesn’t always mean adding complexity. Sometimes, it means doing more with less—particularly when it comes to insufflation pressure. Backed by a growing body of evidence, CONMED’s AirSeal® system offers a data-driven path toward improved safety, comfort, and procedural performance without compromising visualization.

Why Pressure Matters—And Who It Impacts

Surgeons shouldn't have to choose between efficiency and efficacy.
Standard insufflation pressures during laparoscopic and robotic surgery can contribute to elevated end-tidal CO₂, increased peak airway pressures, and greater postoperative discomfort.

These negative side-effects don't just impact the patient - but also present challenges for anesthesiologists managing their physiology in real-time. A low-pressure approach, supported by AirSeal®’s ability to maintain pneumoperitoneum and stable visualization, presents a clear opportunity to benefit both patients and the perioperative team.

The Clinical Case for Low Pressure

Multiple studies now confirm that low-pressure surgery delivers measurable improvements in intraoperative physiology and postoperative recovery.

Foley et al. demonstrated in robotic cases that reducing pneumoperitoneum pressures did not compromise visibility but did correlate with enhanced recovery pathways and lower complication risks³.

In colorectal and gynecological procedures, low-pressure approaches reduced peak airway pressure, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and tidal volume compared to conventional methods².

Studies such as the PAROS trial and ARIEL study show broader adoption of low-pressure methods across specialties, reaffirming their value across clinical contexts⁴.

Supporting ERAS initiatives - The Role of Low Pressure

Low-pressure insufflation aligns directly with Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols. Reduced physiologic stress, and same-day discharge opportunities make AirSeal® an essential component for any institution looking to improve efficiency while advancing patient-centered care.

Learn more about ERAS

A Win for Patients, Surgeons, and Anesthesiologists

Surgeons shouldn't have to choose between efficiency and efficacy.
While AirSeal® has long been recognized by surgeons for its smoke evacuation and stable working space, its benefits for anesthesiology teams and postoperative outcomes are equally compelling. The ability to reduce intraoperative physiologic burden supports smoother anesthesia management and improved postoperative trajectories—a win for the entire OR team.

AirSealiFS Product with correct numbers display on the face

1 Saway JP, et al. Am Surg. 2022;88(8):1832–1837.
2 Buda A, et al. Healthcare (Basel). 2022;10(3):531.
3 Foley CE, et al. J Robot Surg. 2021;15(2):299–307.
4 Celarier S, et al. Br J Surg. 2021;108(8):998–1005.
5 Ferroni MC, Abaza R. BJU Int. 2019;124(2):308–313.