OBJECTIVETo determine the effect of pneumoperitoneum on liver indocyanine green (ICG) metabolism and the hepatic blood flow in normal and cirrhotic rats.

METHODSThirty male Wistar rats were randomized into five groups: normal anaesthesia group, normal laparotomy group, normal pneumoperitoneum group, cirrhosis + anaesthesia group, and cirrhosis + pneumoperitoneum group. Liver cirrhosis was induced in two groups by injecting carbon tetrachloride subcutaneously plus drinking 5% alcohol. ICG clearance tests were performed in all the rats.

RESULTSThe ICG level in the normal laparotomy group (0.662 micro g/ml) was higher than that in the normal anesthesia group (0.645 micro g/ml), but the difference was not significant (P > 0,05). The ICG level in the normal pneumoperitoneum group (0.967 micro g/ml) was significantly higher than that in the normal anesthesia and normal laparotomy groups (P < 0.05). The ICG levels in two cirrhotic groups were significantly higher than those in the other three groups (P < 0.05). The ICG level in the cirrhosis + pneumoperitoneum (1.348 micro g/ml) was significantly higher than that in the cirrhosis + anesthesia group (1.198 micro g/ml) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDuring laparoscopic surgery, pneumoperitoneum could decrease the liver ICG clearance rate and the hepatic blood flow, which are of clinical significance in determining the state of liver cirrhotic.