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The duodenal mucosa is exposed to endogenous and exogenous chemicals, including acid, CO2, bile acids and nutrients. Mucosal chemical sensors are necessary to exert physiological responses such as secretion, digestion, absorption, and motility. We propose a mucosal chemosensing system by which luminal chemicals are sensed via mucosal acid sensors and G-protein-coupled receptors. Luminal acid/CO2 sensing consists of ecto- and cytosolic carbonic anhydrases, epithelial ion transporters, and acid sensors expressed on the afferent nerves in the duodenum. Furthermore, a luminal L-glutamate signal is mediated via mucosal L-glutamate receptors, including metabotropic glutamate receptors and taste receptor 1 family heterodimers, with activation of afferent nerves and cyclooxygenase, whereas luminal Ca2+ is differently sensed via the calcium-sensing receptor in the duodenum. Recent studies also show the involvement of enteroendocrine G-protein-coupled receptors in bile acid and fatty acid sensing in the duodenum. These luminal chemosensors help activate mucosal defense mechanisms in or- der to maintain the mucosal integrity and physiological responses. Stimulation of luminal chemosensing in the duodenal mucosa may prevent mucosal injury, affect nutrient metabolism, and modulate sensory nerve activity.

Minimally invasive bariatric procedures next to becoming more and more popular have established a new field of applications for carbon dioxide (CO(2)) insufflators. In laparoscopic bariatric procedures, gas isused toinsufflate the peritoneal cavity and increase the intra-abdominal pressure up to 15 mm Hg for optima lexposure and a suitable operating field. The increased intra-abdominal pressure during pneumoperitoneum can reduce femoral venous flow, intra-operative urine output, portal venous flow, respiratory compliance, and cardiac output. However, clinical complications related to these effects are rare. Yet, surgeons should be constantly aware that the duration of an operation is an important factor in reducing the patient's exposure to CO(2) pneumoperitoneum and its adverse effects. The optimized performance of the bariatric high flow insufflator allows reaching stable abdominal pressure conditions quicker and at a higher level than a common insufflator. Therefore, high flow insufflators offer great advantages in maintaining intra-abdominal pressure and temperature in comparison to conventional insufflators and thus enhance laparoscopic bariatric surgery by potentially reducing the operating time and the undesirable effects of CO(2) pneumoperitoneum.