title: Characteristic alterations of the peritoneum after carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Any route of entry into the abdomen contributes to alterations of the intraperitoneal organs with different clinical consequences. Characteristic alterations of the peritoneum after CO2 pneumoperitoneum used in laparoscopic surgery is examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  A CO2 pneumoperitoneum with an intraperitoneal pressure of 6 mmHg was applied for 30 min in 32 nude mice. In the course of 4 days, the animals were killed and the peritoneal surface of the abdominal wall was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Already 2 h after release of the pneumoperitoneum, mesothelial cells were bulging up. The intercellular clefts thereby increased in size, and the underlying basal lamina became visible. This reaction peaked after 12 h. Subsequently, peritoneal macrophages and lymphocytes filled all gaps, thereby recovering the basal lamina.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The morphologic integrity of the peritoneum is temporarily disturbed by a CO2 pneumoperitoneum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universitäts-Klinikum Mannheim, D-68135 Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Volz
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Köster
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Spacek
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Paweletz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011028:Pneumoperitoneum, Artificial
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide