The Effects of Duration of CO₂ Pneumoperitoneum on Colonic Anastomosis

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of duration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) pneumoperitoneum on experimental colonic anastomosis. Forty-eight male Sprague–Dawley rats were used. The rats were divided into three groups. The rats in group 1 (n = 16) underwent laparotomy and colonic anastomosis without pneumoperitoneum. The rats in group 2 (n = 16) and group 3 (n = 16) were subjected to 2 and 4 hours of 12 mm Hg pneumoperitoneum, respectively, before laparotomy and colonic anastomosis. Half of the rats were sacrified on the third postoperative day; and the other half, on the seventh postoperative day. A colonic segment including anastomosis site was resected for histopathologic and biochemical evaluation. On day 3, hydroxyproline levels of the three groups were similar. The edema score of group 2 was significantly higher than that of group 1, and the necrosis score was higher in group 2 than in group 3. The scores of the other histopathologic parameters were similar. On day 7, group 3 showed significantly higher hydroxyproline levels than group 1, and group 1 showed a higher necrosis score than group 3. In conclusion, CO₂ pneumoperitoneum of 12 mm Hg for 2 and 4 hours did not result in impaired healing of experimental colonic anastomosis.

KEYWORDS:

• laparoscopy
• pneumoperitoneum
• duration
• experimental
• colon
• anastomosis