Pneumoperitoneum for laparoscopic cholecystectomy is not associated with compromised splanchnic circulation.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the influence of increased intra-abdominal pressure during pneumoperitoneum on splanchnic circulation.

DESIGN

Open study.

SETTING

University hospital, Sweden.

SUBJECTS

Five otherwise healthy patients (mean age of 34 years), undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

INTERVENTIONS

Arterial and hepatic vein catheterization and simultaneous arterial and hepatic vein blood gas sampling in the awake state, during anaesthesia, after the establishment of pneumoperitoneum (intra-abdominal pressure level 11-13 mmHg) and after 30 and 60 minutes of pneumoperitoneum.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Hepatic blood flow was estimated by the continuous infusion method and used as a measure of splanchnic blood flow. Splanchnic oxygen consumption was calculated according to the Fick principle.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Splanchnic blood flow and splanchnic oxygen consumption were not affected by pneumoperitoneum at this level of intra-abdominal pressure.