Laparoscopic bowel injury in an animal model: monocyte migration and apoptosis

Background: Unrecognized laparoscopic bowel injury has a delayed and covert presentation. Differences in monocyte migration and apoptosis between laparoscopic and open bowel injury were determined. Methods: For this study, 24 rabbits were divided into laparoscopic (n = 9) and open surgical (n = 9) bowel injury groups and a control group (n = 6) without bowel injury. Bowel injury was created using monopolar electrocautery. The animals were killed 1 day, 1 week, and 2 weeks after surgery. Monocyte migration assay was performed across a modified Boyden chamber. Apoptosis was assessed by DNA fluorescent stain H-33342. Results: In laparoscopy, monocyte apoptosis was decreased (p < 0.001), and migration was increased (p < 0.05), as compared with the open group. Apoptosis increased over time in both study groups, and was higher than in the control group (p < 0.001). Migration was decreased in both study groups as compared with the control group (p < 0.05) Conclusions: These results suggest decreased immune system priming with laparoscopic bowel injury, which may contribute to the masking of relevant signs and symptoms of peritonitis.