The influence of laparotomy and laparoscopy on tumor growth in a rat model

Abstract

Background: The effects of laparotomy and laparoscopy with different gases on subcutaneous and intraperitoneal tumor growth have not been evaluated yet.

Methods: Tumor growth of colon adenocarcinoma DHD/K12/TRb was measured in rats after laparotomy, laparoscopy with CO2 or air, and in control group. Cell kinetics were determined after incubation with carbon dioxide or air in vitro and tumor growth was measured subcutaneously and intraperitoneally after surgery in vivo.

Results: In vitro, tumor cell growth increased significantly after incubation with air and CO2. In vivo, intraperitoneal tumor weight was increased after laparotomy (1,203 +/- 780 mg) and after laparoscopy with air (1,085 +/- 891 mg) and with CO2 (718 +/- 690 mg) compared to control group (521 +/- 221 mg) (p < 0.05). Subcutaneous tumor growth was promoted after laparotomy (71 +/- 35 mg) and even more after laparoscopy with air (82 +/- 45 mg) and CO2 (99 +/- 55 mg) compared to control group (36 +/- 33 mg).

Conclusions: Insufflation of air and CO2 promote tumor growth in vitro. In vivo, intraperitoneal tumor growth seems to be promoted primarily by intraperitoneal air and subcutaneous tumor growth by CO2.