Effect of CO2 pneumoperitoneum on bacteremia in experimental peritonitis.

Bacteria transfer to the blood from the peritoneum is thought to be augmented when the diaphragmatic stomata are activated by an increased intra-abdominal pressure. Therefore, it may be expected that the increase in intra-abdominal pressure during laparoscopic surgery can augment the absorption of bacteria from the peritoneum to the blood. The present study examines the effect of pneumoperitoneum on bacteremia in experimental Escherichia coli peritonitis in rabbits. Twenty-four rabbits were divided into three groups. 10(9) colony forming units of E. coli were inoculated intraperitoneally into group 1 (n = 8). Group 2 (n = 8) received an identical bacterial inoculum and underwent a midline laparotomy at the 2nd hour. Group 3 (n = 8) also had an identical bacterial inoculum which was followed by 15 mm Hg CO2 pneumoperitoneum for 1 h at the 2nd hour. In all groups, the growth value (GV) was measured in the 3rd- and 6th-hour blood cultures using the Bactec NR 730 system. There was no difference in the 3rd- and 6th-hour GVs (p > 0.05) among the three groups. In conclusion, pneumoperitoneum with 15 mm Hg CO2 in experimental E. coli peritonitis did not increase the bacteremia when compared with the control and laparotomy groups.