The effect of CO2 pneumoperitoneum on the growth of a solid colon carcinoma in rats.
BACKGROUND
In order to investigate the effect of carbon dioxide (CO(2)) pneumoperitoneum on solid colon carcinomas, we used a colon anastomosis tumor model in 30 male syngeneic WAG rats, which were divided, at random into three groups.


METHODS
In all rats, 10(6) CC531 S colon carcinoma cells were injected as an enema into the colon. Subsequently, a transection and a reanastomosis of the colon descendens was performed via laparotomy. After 2 weeks, group 1 (n = 10) was anesthetized as an anesthesia control group. Group 2 (n = 10) had a laparotomy that was closed after 20 min. In group 3 (n = 10), a CO(2) pneumoperitoneum of </=6 mmHg was created and maintained during 20 min. After 2 weeks, all rats were killed, and total tumor weight and volume was measured.


RESULTS
At necroscopy tumor growth was found in 16 rats (group 1: six; group 2: five; group 3: five). No difference in tumor growth (weight or volume) was found between the three groups.


CONCLUSIONS
In our solid colon carcinoma model, CO(2) pneumoperitoneum did not enhance tumor growth.
Pauwels
M
M
Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, University of Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Edegem, Antwerp, Belgium.
Lauwers
P
P
Hendriks
J
J
Hubens
A
A
Eyskens
E
E
Hubens
G
G
D000818:Animals; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D008297:Male; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009366:Neoplasm Seeding; D011028:Pneumoperitoneum, Artificial; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D002245:Carbon Dioxide