EFFECTS OF PNEUMOPERITONEUM ON SPLANCHNIC HEMODYNAMICS - AN EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY IN PIGS

Objective: To study the effects on splanchnic haemodynamics of pneumop eritoneum induced by carbon dioxide insufflation. Design: Controlled e xperimental study. Animals: 11 Pigs weighing 19-30 kg. Intervention: T he animals were divided into a control group (n = 4) and a experimenta l group (n = 7). Experimental animals were subjected to stepwise incre asing intra-abdominal pressure from 0 mm Hg to 25 mm Hg by carbon diox ide insufflation. Main outcome measures: Portal venous blood flow, por tal venous blood pressure, portal/hepatic vascular resistance, and gas trointestinal vascular resistance.Results: At 25 mm Hg portal venous b lood flow was reduced (66% of baseline), and portal venous blood press ure and portal/hepatic vascular resistance were increased (360% and 65 0% of baseline, respectively). The increase in gastrointestinal vascul ar resistance was less pronounced. Conclusions: Increased intra-abdomi nal pressure caused significant changes in the splanchnic haemodynamic s. The risk was greater if the intra-abdominal pressure exceeded 15 mm Hg.