When Insufflation Goes Awry: Massive Gas Embolism During Laparoscopic Surgery

•CO2 embolism is a rare but life-threatening complication of laparoscopic surgery.•CO2 embolism presents as cardiorespiratory failure requiring prompt intervention.•The gold standard for diagnostic investigation is TEE.•Treatment includes desufflation, high FiO2, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.•Systemic embolization is the most-feared complication of CO2 embolism.