Peritoneal mesothelial hypoxia during pneumoperitoneum is a cofactor in adhesion formation in a laparoscopic mouse model.

Objective: To develop a laparoscopic mouse model to evaluate the hypothesis that mesothelial hypoxia during pneumoperitoneum is a cofactor in adhesion formation.
Design: Prospective randomized trials.
Setting: Academic research center.
Animal(s): One hundred thirty female Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice.
Intervention(s): Adhesions were induced by opposing monopolar lesions in uterine horns and pelvic side walls during laparoscopy and evaluated after 7 or 28 days under microscopic vision during laparotomy. The following pneumoperitoneum variables were assessed: duration (10 or 60 minutes), insufflation pressure (5 or 15 cm of water), insufflation gas (CO(2) or helium), and addition of oxygen (0-12%).
Main Outcome Measure(s): Adhesions were scored quantitatively and qualitatively for extent, type, and tenacity.
Result(s): Scoring of adhesions 7 or 28 days after laparoscopic surgery was comparable. Adhesions increased with duration of pneumoperitoneum and with insufflation pressure and decreased with the addition of oxygen. Half-maximal reduction of adhesions was obtained at 1.5% oxygen, whereas a maximal reduction required only 2%-3%. The effect of CO(2) and helium was similar.
Conclusion(s): These data demonstrate the feasibility of the intubated laparoscopic mouse model and confirm previous observations in rabbits, indicating that mesothelial hypoxia plays a key role in adhesion formation.