OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of different pressures of CO2 pneumoperitioneum on pathomorphism and function of intestines following laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG).

METHODSForty-eight gastric cancer patients were prospectively enrolled in the study. Among them, 36 patients scheduled for elective LG were randomly assigned to low pressure group (LP), middle pressure (MP), and high pressure group (HP) with 12 cases in each group. The CO2 pneumoperitoneum pressure was maintained at 8-10 mmhg in LP, 11-13 mmhg in MP, and 14-16 mmhg in HP. The control group was open gastrectomy group (OG) in 12 cases. The intestinal pathomorphism and level of plasma D-lactic acid before, during and after operation, and postoperative intestinal function of four groups were examined and compared.

RESULTSThere were no statistical differences in preoperative data among the four groups(all P>0.05). LG group was associated with a lower rate of surgical complications than OG (8.3% vs. 41.7%, P<0.05). No obvious damage of intestinal mucosa was found in OG group. Damage degree of intestinal mucosa after operation in LP, MP and HP groups was 0-1, 1-2, and 2-3 respectively. There was significant change in intestinal pathomorphism after operation in both HP and MP groups. The levels of D-lactic acid before operation were not significantly different among all the four groups, but increased significantly in each group after operation (all P<0.05). HP group had the highest level of plasma D-lactic acid and presented with delayed bowel sound return (4.5 d), time to first flatus (5.4 d), and intake (6.0 d) as compared to the other 3 groups (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLaparoscopic radical gastrectomy is safe and minimally invasive. Higher pneumoperitoneal pressure is harmful to the recovery of intestinal mucosa and function. Therefore the pneumoperitioneum pressure should be maintained as low as possible under clear visualization during operation.