Liver histology alterations during carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum in a porcine model

Background This study aimed to investigate the time course changes in liver histology during carbon dioxide (CO2) pneumoperitoneum in a large animal model. Methods For this study, 14 white pigs were anesthetized. Liver biopsies performed 0, 1, and 2 h after establishment of CO2 pneumoperitoneum (at 12 mmHg) and after peritoneal desufflation were sent for histologic examination. Heart rate, mean blood pressure, hepatic artery flow, portal vein flow, and aortic flow were recorded in 10-min increments. Three animals served as control subjects. Results A statistically significant time course increase was observed in portal inflammation, intralobular inflammation, edema, sinusoidal dilation, sinusoidal hyperemia, centrilobular dilation, centrilobular hyperemia, pericentrilobular ischemia, and focal lytic necrosis scores. There were no significant changes in the control group. This eliminated an effect of anesthesia only. The portal vein flow increased as much as 21%, and the hepatic artery flow decreased as much as 31% of baseline, but these differences did not attain statistical significance. Aortic flow remained relatively stable. Conclusion Histomorphologic changes occurred, indicating liver tissue injury during CO2 pneumoperitoneum at an intraabdominal pressure of 12 mmHg in the porcine model. Portal vein flow increased, and hepatic artery flow decreased, whereas aortic flow remained relatively unaffected in this experiment.