Background: To date, the effects of increased abdominal pressure, as given during carbon dioxide (CO(2)) pneumoperitoneum, on hepatic microcirculation and biliary excretion are unknown.
Methods: Using a custom-made peritoneal cavity chamber, we performed intravital microscopy of the left liver lobe under conditions of CO(2) pneumoperitoneum in a rat model. In addition, biliary excretion was assessed.
Results: The establishment of a CO(2) pneumoperitoneum of 4 or 8 mmHg resulted in sinusoidal perfusion failure that was more pronounced in the periportal regions than in the midzonal and pericentral regions of the liver acinus. Biliary excretion was considerably reduced at an intraabdominal pressure of 8 mmHg. Leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions increased significantly in both hepatic sinusoids and postsinusoidal venules.
Conclusion: Alterations in hepatic microcirculation and liver function must be taken into consideration in any kind of laparoscopic surgery and may be of particular clinical relevance in patients with liver pathology.