Portal venous flow during CO(2) pneumoperitoneum in the rat.
BACKGROUND
CO(2) gas insufflation is routinely used to extend the abdominal wall. The resulting pneumoperitoneum has a number of local and systemic effects on the organism. Portal blood flow, which plays an important role in hepatic function and cell-conveyed immune response, is one of the affected parameters.


METHODS
An established animal model (rat) of laparoscopic surgery was modified by implanting a perivascular flow probe. Hemodynamics in the portal vein were then measured during increasing intraabdominal pressure generated by carbon dioxide insufflation.


RESULTS
Using this technique, an adequate flowmetry of the portal vein was achieved in all animals. The creation of a CO(2) pneumoperitoneum with increasing intraabdominal pressure led to a linear decrease in portal venous flow.


CONCLUSIONS
Elevated intraabdominal pressure caused by carbon dioxide insufflation may compromise hepatic function and cell-conveyed immune response during laparoscopic surgery.
Gutt
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CN
Department of General and Vascular Surgery, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Schmandra
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TC
D000005:Abdomen / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D008297:Male; D011028:Pneumoperitoneum, Artificial; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D002245:Carbon Dioxide