Effect of abdominal insufflation on bacterial growth in experimental peritonitis

Background: Perforated appendicitis can be treated laparoscopically, but th is approach is associated with a higher rate of intra-abdominal abscess. Pn eumoperitoneum impairs the clearance of bacteria from the peritoneal cavity in experimental models of peritonitis. The aim of this study was to invest igate the effects of intra-abdominal gas insufflation on bacterial growth i n a rat model. Materials and Methods: The effects of intraperitoneal insufflation with dif ferent gases and a gasless model on bacterial proliferation in a setting of Escherichia coli-induced experimental peritonitis were studied in a rat mo del. Saline (0.25 mL) was given intraperitoneally to six Wistar male rats a s the sham group. Escherichia coli (1.5 x 10(9) cfu/mL per kilogram) was in jected intraperitoneally into to 24 rats. Microorganism counts were taken a fter 8 hours, and rats were divided into three groups: group 1, CO2 insuffl ation; group 2, N2O insufflation; and group 3, no insufflation. Microorgani sm counts were repeated 8 hours after the procedure (at 16 hours postinject ion). Results: The difference in microorganism counts between 8 and 16 hours were significant in the CO2 and N2O insufflation groups (P < 0.05) but not in t he group without pneumoperitoneum. Conclusions: Abdominal insufflation may promote intra-abdominal bacterial g rowth or decrease intra-abdominal bacterial clearance.