Shoulder pain post laparoscopy is due to:: (A) Subphrenic abscess, (B) CO2 retention, (C) Positioning of the patient, (D) Compression of the lung
Answer is B. CO2 retention [Ref: J Shoulder pain is although a minor complication is exceedingly common and is due to the presence of a significant amount of residual carbon dioxide in the peritoneal cavity, trapped under the diaphragm and causing irritation of the diaphragm and thus referred pain to the shoulder through the phrenic nerve.