OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of CO(2) pneumoperitoneum on blood flow volume of abdominal organs of rabbits with controlled hemorrhagic shock model and liver impact injuries.

METHODSAfter controlled hemorrhagic shock and liver impact injuries, the rabbit model was established. Eighteen rabbits subjected to hemorrhagic shock and liver impact injuries were divided into 3 groups randomly according to the volume of lost blood: light hemorrhagic shock (blood loss volume was 10%, 6 ml/kg), moderate hemorrhagic shock (20%, 12 ml/kg) and severe hemorrhagic shock (40%, 22 ml/kg). Intraabdominal pressures of CO(2) pneumoperitoneum was 10 mmHg. Color-labeled microspheres were used to measure the blood flow volume of the liver, kidney and stomach before pneumoperitoneum at 30 minutes and 2 hours after pneumoperitoneum and 30 minutes after deflation. And the mortality and hepatic traumatic condition of rabbits were recorded.

RESULTSOf the 18 rabbits, there were 9 with liver impact injuries at Grade I , 8 at Grade II and 1 at Grade III (according to AIS-2005). The mortality rate in light hemorrhagic shock group was 33.33%, and that in moderate or severe hemorrhagic shock group was 100% within 30 minutes and 2 hours after pneumoperitoneum, respectively. The blood flow volume in the organs detected decreased at 30 minutes under pneumoperitoneum in light and moderate hemorrhagic shock groups. At the same time, the blood flow volume of the liver in moderate hemorrhagic shock group decreased more significantly than that in light hemorrhagic shock group.

CONCLUSIONSThe blood flow volume of abdominal organs in rabbits is decreased obviously under CO(2) pneumoperitoneum, with fairly high mortality rate. It is believed that CO(2) pneumoperitoneum should cautiously be used in abdominal injury accompanied with hemorrhagic shock, especially under non-resuscitation conditions.